Community support and resources to end domestic violence

Domestic violence impacts nearly everyone directly or indirectly, and the long-term effects of violence can radiate through communities and across generations. Nearly two-thirds of Alaska Native and American Indian women will experience Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in their lives and nearly 60% have experienced sexual violence, according to the Alaska Victimization Survey. Indigenous men and youth also experience dating, domestic, and sexual violence, which can have impacts throughout their lives.  

While domestic and sexual violence are far too common in Alaska, there are also many ways we can support our loved ones and ourselves in preventing, navigating, and recovering from violent or abusive relationships. Our traditions and cultural practices highlight the resilience of Alaska Native people and help us prevent and heal from violence. We can support one another by sharing resources and speaking out against violence when we see it. Domestic violence is experienced by individual people but it has community-wide impacts. Therefore, every person in our communities can play a role in ending domestic violence.   

If you know someone who you think might be experiencing domestic violence, it can be overwhelming to know how to help. You might be afraid for their safety and unsure of what to do. It is always important to keep yourself safe when you want to support a loved one, but there are many things that we can do to help people in violent relationships. One of the most important things is letting your loved one knows they can come to you anytime they need help. The National Domestic Violence Hotline recommends three key ways to support someone you care about who is experiencing domestic violence: 

 

1. 1. Listen without judgment. Support your loved one by creating a safe environment where they feel valued and heard; listen attentively, don’t interrupt what they choose to share, and don’t offer unsolicited advice. Show your loved one you are listening by reflecting back what they share with you, asking open-ended questions, and validating their experiences. 

2. 2. Validate their feelings. It is very common for survivors of violence to experience shame and fear. You can help support survivors by acknowledging how they feel without dismissing those feelings.  Supporting a survivor who is sharing their feelings demonstrates you believe their experiences and they deserve support and care. 

3. 3. Respect their boundaries. Many people who have experienced violence are fearful or tentative to share their stories of abuse. It is common for people to share their experiences slowly, over time, as they develop trust in the people in their lives to hold their stories with respect and confidentiality. Let survivors lead conversations at their own pace. By trusting and respecting survivors to set their own boundaries, you can reaffirm that they have the right to define what healthy relationships are and that they have the power to make choices about their lives themselves.  

Domestic violence can feel overwhelming, scary, or sad to talk about. While domestic violence is common in Alaska, it will never define our communities, as long as we continue to support each other and do our part to foster safe and respectful communities. When we model respect and safety in our own relationships and lives, these powerful norms of non-violence spread and become more common in our communities. We all have a role to play in ending domestic violence. Thank you for doing your part to support safe and healthy relationships for all Alaskans.  

If you think you might be in a violent or abusive relationship and want to talk to someone, there are many resources across Alaska to support you. This is not an exhaustive list. While many of these resources are shelters, they also support people who do not need to stay in a shelter, but still need support related to domestic violence. If you think you need support, please consider calling one of the resources below.  

 

1. 1. Standing Together Against Rape (STAR): Statewide sexual violence agency that is based in Anchorage. 24/7 crisis line can be reached at 907-276-7273 or toll-free at 800-478-8999 

2. 2. Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis (AWAIC): Domestic violence shelter serving the Anchorage area. 24/7 crisis line: 907-272-0100.  
      
      
   3. Alaska Native Justice Center (ANJC): promotes justice through culturally based advocacy, prevention, and intervention services, 907-793-3550
      
      
   4. Alaska Family Services: Domestic violence shelter in Palmer. 24/7 crisis line: 907-746-8026 
      
      
   5. Safe and Fear Free Environment (SAFE): Domestic violence shelters in Dillingham and King Salmon. 24/7 crisis line: 907-842-2320 
      
      
   6. Tundra Women’s Coalition: Domestic violence shelter in Bethel. 24/7 crisis line: 907-543-3456 or toll-free at 800-478-7799 
      
      
   7. Interior Alaska Center for Non-violent Living: Domestic violence shelter in Fairbanks. 24/7 crisis line: 907-452-2293
      
      
   8. Arctic Women in Crisis: Domestic violence shelter in Utqiagvik. 24/7 crisis line: 907-852-0261 
      
      
   9. Bering Sea Women’s Group: Domestic Violence shelter in Nome. 24/7 crisis line: 800-570-5444 
      
      
   10. Maniilaq Family Crisis Center: Domestic Violence shelter in Kotzebue. 24/7 crisis line: 907-442-3969 
       
       
   11. Aiding Women in Abuse and Rape Emergencies (AWARE): Domestic Violence shelter in Juneau and surrounding communities. 24/7 crisis line: 907-586-1090
       
       
   12. Women in Safe Homes (WISH): Domestic Violence shelter in Ketchikan. 24/7 crisis line: 907-225-9474
       
       
   13. Sitkans Against Family Violence (SAFV): Domestic violence shelter in Sitka. 24/7 crisis line: 907-747-6511