PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
April 22, 2021
Contact: Candy Keown, Communications Coordinator
907–378-3339; candy.keown@aknwrc.org
Thank you to Senators Casey (D‑PA) and Murkowski (R‑AK) for introducing S. 1275: the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act, on April 21, 2021. Through this act, which is referred to as reauthorization of FVPSA, survivors of domestic violence receive services such as emergency shelter, crisis counseling, safety planning, assistance recovering from financial abuse and addressing housing insecurity. These services are vitally needed for the safety of all Alaska families, in particular for our Native and rural Alaska communities. The reauthorization of FVPSA strengthens the capacity of Indian Tribes to exercise their sovereign authority to more fully respond to domestic violence in their communities and authorizes funding for tribal coalitions, an Alaska Native tribal resource center on domestic violence, a role fulfilled by the Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center, and the national Indian domestic violence hotline, fulfilled by StrongHearts Native Helpline, which addresses the culturally-specific needs of Native victims. We thank Senator Murkowski and Senator Casey for their leadership and continued support of survivors of domestic violence.
“We look forward to continuing to provide our communities increased safety and healing with laws, policies and local responses rooted in Alaska Native voices, languages and teachings,” said Tami Truett Jerue, Executive Director of the Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center.