We ‘Choose Respect’

Alaska exists on a larger-than-life scale. And while we like being No. 1, not all of our first-place finishes are worth celebrating.

In some cases, we'd prefer to finish last, such as in the case of violent crimes.

According to the Uniform Crime Report, Alaska doesn't just lead the nation in reports of forcible rapes - our numbers are 2.6 times the national average. When those numbers are considered by city, the news is worse. In Anchorage, the number of forcible rapes reported between 2003 and 2009 was 2.9 times the national rate. Women in Fairbanks reported 5.1 times more forcible rapes than the national average for the same time period.

In the past, many of us have tuned out when this topic is raised. But for the love of our children, we must no longer turn a blind eye to these crimes - or to words and deeds that may be their precursors.

That means every time we hear someone use language that disrespects women and children - who are most often the victim of sex crimes - we will say, "We do not share these values. In Alaska, we value all people equally, without exception. Here, we are all neighbors. Here, they are all our children."

These are familiar themes for us, urging the strong among us to stand in protection of those who are weaker. We've said before that we believe men were created bigger and stronger to be protectors of families. Again, we urge men to resume that role and protect, not harm, their families.

But honestly, it isn't just men who ball their hands into fists and swing at loved ones. We see both women and men in Police Beat charged with domestic violence. One key difference, though, is while women do hit men, she would need to use something like a baseball bat to inflict the degree of damage prosecutors routinely see when men use just their fists - broken jaws, shattered eye sockets and swelling so severe that victims are unrecognizable.

That's why we applaud Gov. Sean Parnell's "Choose Respect" initiative to end the epidemic of domestic violence and sexual assault. It's different when men lead the charge. It's different when men tell their friends, "That's not funny." It's different when men "Choose Respect."

Gov. Parnell this week released a list of 100 Alaska communities that will participate in the third annual "Choose Respect" events set for March 29. In addition to prevention and education efforts, the Parnell administration also is working to increase enforcement and prosecution of these crimes and increasing efforts to protect and help survivors heal.

No one person can stem this tide of evil. But together, we can "Choose Respect," erase our name from the top of this gruesome list and craft a community where our children are safer and fewer Alaskans shoulder unwelcome labels like victim and survivor.

For more information about the Choose Respect initiative, visit chooserespect.alaska.gov.