Advocate for Victims

Give Alaska victims a voice and help reduce their trauma

Contact your legislator and ask them to support the “Victim Trauma Reduction Act” (HB67 / SB65)

    • The legislation will repeal a Court Rule that requires victims to testify in person at grand jury, often only days after being victimized, to re-tell their story and re-live their trauma – even though the victim already has provided the information to officials / law enforcement.
    • As is common practice in other states, this legislation will allow key witnesses, typically an officer or medical professional, to summarize the testimony of witnesses, and/or play recordings of victim and witness testimony at grand jury.

Why Take Action to Help Alaska Victims?

    • Alaska’s criminal justice system currently inflicts more trauma on victims than any other state! And it is completely unnecessary.
    • The Alaska Court System requires victims to testify in person at criminal grand jury proceedings, even though the victim already has provided the testimony – often only days before.
    • 30 other jurisdictions (including the federal government) allow grand jury proceedings without requiring the victim to testify.
    • The current system is costly, inefficient, and adds to the court’s backlog.
    • Reduce the stress and trauma on Alaska crime victims, while making Alaska’s criminal justice system more compassionate, fair, rational, and efficient.