Domestic Violence

Dozens of men participated in Standing Together Against Rape's "Walk A Mile In Her Shoes" fundraiser on April 27. STAR held its' fifth annual event inside the University Center Mall. The participants walked for one mile in two and three inch heels to raise awareness about sexual assault. Alaska consistently has the country's worst rates for sexual assault and domestic violence rates. Representatives from STAR say the fundraiser is a good way to get community members talking about a difficult topic.

by Christine Kim Monday, February 01, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- An Anchorage woman who was stabbed at least 15 times in her face and body talked to detectives Monday. Dorean Cureton remains at an intensive care unit after her husband, 28-year-old Saliym Cureton, allegedly stabbed her repeatedly Saturday morning. Saliym Cureton is charged with attempted murder and violating a domestic violence restraining order. The stabbing happened early Saturday at the Extended Stay Deluxe Hotel in Anchorage.

Assisted living home owner Susan Reeves runs the Red Oaks home in Anchorage. It houses 15 people, all of whom are considered mentally ill, and all of whom accept some form of public assistance. "It's important for us to be able to take care of their residents because they're vulnerable adults," Reeves said. "They've been defined vulnerable adults by the State of Alaska, and they're all on programs that help pay for that. " In the course of operating her home, Reeves says she's had to call the police from time to time; the most common reason she does so is to file a missing-person report.  She says it's part of her extensive protocol she follows if one of the people living there doesn't meet curfew or goes missing.

by Rhonda McBride Thursday, January 21, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The economy got most of the attention in Wednesday night's State of the State Address, but Gov. Sean Parnell also waged war on domestic violence and sexual assault. Parnell's plan aims to put more abusers in jail, help survivors heal and focuses on prevention. "If we commit ourselves to this great cause, we can end this epidemic in a decade," Parnell said. He has declared an all-out war on sexual abuse and domestic violence in Alaska.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month in Alaska, and today, federal, state and city officials held a ceremony to mark the beginning of the month.  Attorney General John Burns was on hand to talk about Governor Sean Parnell's "Choose Respect Campaign. "  He also handed out an award to attorney Allen M. Bailey for Pro Bono services to victims.   Video messages from U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Mark Begich (D-Alaska) were played as well as a proclamation from Municipality of Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan.

by Jackie Bartz Sunday, April 18, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Gov. Sean Parnell had big victories in Juneau this weekend, with the Legislature passing bills he championed to fight against domestic violence and child pornography. Earlier this month, hundreds of Alaskans rallied to show their support for the bills. Senate Bill 222 passed the Legislature this weekend. It makes offensive touching a misdemeanor, and intentionally accessing child pornography a class-C felony.

Advocates for domestic violence victims came together Monday to mark the begininng of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Alaska. The event, at the Anchorage Museum, kicked off this year's theme of "Shed the Light," which hopes to bring domestic violence as an issue out into the open. "When we say 'shed the light,' we want people to talk about what's happening in abusive relationships. We want victims to know they have resources and support and the community is not going to turn them away," said Suzi Pearson, the executive director of Abused Women's Aid in Crisis.

Anchorage police are looking for a man they say was involved in a Feb. 22 domestic-violence assault in Midtown. Kevin Richard Arnold, 31, allegedly fled the scene of the assault, on the 800 block of East 45th Court, in the victim's vehicle which was later recovered. Officers subsequently obtained an arrest warrant for Arnold in connection with the assault and vehicle theft. Arnold, who has brown hair and eyes, stands 6 feet fall and weighs 210 pounds. Anyone who sees Arnold is asked to call APD at 786-8900 or Crime Stoppers at 561-7867, or submit an anonymous tip at Crime Stoppers' website.

A Goodnews Bay man was indicted Tuesday on charges including attempted murder after allegedly firing a gun at his wife and burning her with a heating coil, inflicting injuries for which she had to be treated in Bethel. According to Alaska State Troopers and charging documents, 30-year-old Joseph B. Merritt punched Judith Merritt in the face in Goodnews Bay on July 20. He was arrested for fourth-degree domestic-violence assault by village public safety officer George Bright Sr. Judith Merritt also had burns on her body, but refused to discuss them with Bright.