Sean Parnell proclaims October Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October 1, 9:51 PMAnchorage Domestic Violence ExaminerChristina Janko

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 In the Assembly Chambers of Loussac Library today, dozens of people gathered to commemorate the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 

Alaska has some of the highest rates of domestic violence and sexual assault in the country.  Leaders and representative from several different organizations met today in one forum, to share what they were doing individually, and their hopes for Anchorages future. 

Anchorage School District Superintendent Carol Comeau acted as the mistress of ceremonies.  Also speaking were representatives from Fort Richardson, Elmendorf Airforce Base, Mayor Sullivan's office, Southcentral Foundation, and Senators Murkowski and Begich addressed the crowd via video.  Poet and radio personality Corinna Delgado gave a moving and spirited reading, and the Fireweed Dancers performed to close the ceremony. 

But it was, in this writers humble opinion, Governor Sean Parnell, who hit home at the heart of the reason we all gathered there today. 

"Domestic violence is an act of treason in a sense" the governor stated in the opening of his speech.  He went on to call on all Alaskans to stand up and speak out about domestic violence.  He recalled a story a friend told him about waking up to screams and breaking glass and dialing 911, only to have the chaos stop before anybody could find out where it came from.  Parnells friend was not only disheartened by concern for the people involved in the incident, but over the lack of response from her other neighbors, and went door to door the next day, introducing herself, and proposing a 'neighborhood watch" of sorts, to watch over one another as a community.  If it is up to us Alaskans to do the same in our neighborhoods. 

Parnell then called on Alaskan men, urging them to give up their dated version of masculinity, where the man ruled the household with an iron fist, and embrace what masculinity really is: to care for and protect, and to stand up and defend when the need called for it. 

This October, take a moment to remember that maintaining silence about domestic violence gives it strength.  Remember those whom we have lost, and may we renew our vigilance to making our community a safe place, with a safe home for one and all.  May we all follow the path of our governor, and through caring about each other, form our own "neighborhood watch."

If you or somebody you know is involved in a violent relationship, don't keep quiet!  Contact APD at 907-786-8500, AK State Troopers at 907-269-6511, or the AWAIC 24 hour hotline at 907-272-0100.  In case of emergency, diall 911.