Campaign features men who ‘Choose Respect’

PALMER — A conversation in October 2012 has led to a partnership between Alaska Family Services Inc., the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman and a group of tenacious Valley men determined to turn the tide on domestic violence.

For years, Alaska has led the nation in rates of domestic violence. But when he took office as Alaska governor in 2009, Sean Parnell created the “Choose Respect” campaign aimed at erasing Alaska’s name from atop this tragic leader board. Parnell’s push focuses on the powerful role men have in ending these violent crimes, which often take place in the context of the family unit.

During the next eight weeks, the Frontiersman will feature these local men in a series of stories and advertisements called “Valley Men Choose Respect.”

Alaska Family Services Inc. head Donn Bennice said the local men featured in the ad campaign were carefully selected and personally invited to be role models in the community, to Choose Respect.

Valley Men Choose Respect launches this week with Al Strawn sharing the reasons why he is lending his name and face to this grassroots effort.

The campaign also includes Palmer District Attorney Roman Kalytiak, First National Bank Alaska Senior Vice President Craig Thorn, Mat-Su Borough School District administrator Lebron McPhail, former state Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Bill Hogan, musician and sobriety advocate Paul Pike, and MTA CEO Greg Berberich.