JUNEAU — The latest edition of the Alaska Women’s Legal Rights handbook can now be accessed online and offers victims of domestic violence or sexual assault advice on how to leave a violent relationship.
A new version of the handbook, which was first published more than 30 years ago, was released last month, KTOO-TV reports. It also includes information on victim’s rights, reproductive rights and employment.
“It just gives women a broad overview on a broad array of legal topics that they could confront at any time in their life. And it’s great that we’re able to offer it online now, too, because anyone can access this at any time,” said Christine Pate, a legal advocate with the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, which published the new handbook.
Pate said women are more likely to be victims of domestic violence or sexual violence, but that the information in the handbook is useful for all victims. The handbook also acknowledges violence in same-sex relationships.
“A lot of the issues that are addressed here, women are the primary victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and it’s also our experience, and I think research shows that women, especially when there is a legal problem in perhaps a family law case, have less access to resources,” Pate said.
The handbook includes a seven-page outline that tells readers how to create a safety plan. It also offers a checklist for what a victim should consider taking with them before leaving a violent relationship. The list includes practical items such as Social Security cards, birth and marriage certificates and credit cards.
The handbook also provides another list for victims whose abuser has left the home. It says the victim should change the locks, install outside lighting and purchase rope ladders to escape from second-story windows.
Ariel Herman, training coordinator at ANDVSA, acknowledged that the safety plan alone would not prevent victims from being abused.
“The safety plan unfortunately cannot prevent all abuse and that’s because the abuse is not in the control of the victim or the victim’s advocate,” Herman said. “It is in the control of the abuser.”
Hard copies of the 240-page handbook can be accessed at most women’s shelters and advocacy organizations. A digital version can be found on the network’s website.
