A first-of-its-kind report requested by the state Legislature shows that 37 percent of adult women in Alaska have experienced sexual violence in their lifetimes.
The University of Alaska report shows the lifetime number grows to 47 percent of adult Alaskan women when intimate-partner violence, which includes threats, slapping and the use of a weapon, is included. Nearly one in 10 women have experienced that kind of violence in the past year, according to the report.
Legislators requested the study last year after hearing testimony on what can be done to reduce sexual assault and improve rates of prosecution and conviction.
The state has never done a survey like this, which studied victims, especially those who don’t report crimes to the police.
