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)
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- 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?
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- 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.