Rape in Alaska

Authors

Caitlin Williams, University of Nebraska at Kearney

Abstract

The National Crime Victimization Survey shows that Alaska has the highest number of sexual assaults of all U.S. states. Rape is a paramount problem in Alaska, for Alaska triples the national average of reported rapes (at 27 per 100,000). In addition, according to the 2014 Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault’s Dashboard, only 33.5 percent of reported forcible rapes resulted in an arrest. Data indicates that Alaska has a high population of Alaska Native (or ANs) women that are assaulted by both AN men and non-AN men. This research examines the core reasons behind the high incidence of AN women’s rapes, including remote geography and darkness, the history and culture of Alaska Native communities, alcohol abuse, and gender roles in Alaskan communities. The impunity of the offenders is also explored.

Recommended Citation

Williams, Caitlin (2016) "Rape in Alaska," Undergraduate Research Journal: Vol. 20, Article 11.
Available at: https://openspaces.unk.edu/undergraduate-research-journal/vol20/iss1/11