Senator Begich Urges Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act

Senator Mark Begich today spoke on the floor of the United States Senate urging his colleagues to pass the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization (VAWA), which is scheduled to come up for a vote later this week. The bill has not been reauthorized since 2006 and would reauthorize existing VAWA grant programs to prevent and respond to violent crimes against women, children, and families and educate individuals about domestic violence and sexual assault. Sen. Begich notes that 3 out of every 4 Alaskans know or have known someone who has experienced domestic or sexual violence, and child sexual assault in Alaska is almost six times the national average, underlining the immediate need for this bill.

“It’s not every day that we get to vote on a law that actually saves lives, but this one does. The Senate needs to send the simple and important message that Alaskans and all Americans will not tolerate violence against women, children, and families. We must do our part to reduce domestic violence and sexual assault, it’s time for us to step up and make sure this happens now. I look forward to casting my vote for the reauthorization hopefully very soon,” Begich said.

Click below to view Senator Begich's statement over YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuYMdOUou5k&list=UU83mYjh0VxWGXVAQDp0kcBQ&index=1&feature=plcp 

Take Back the Night

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WHAT: Take Back the Night March and Rally

WHEN: Saturday, April 28th 1pm-3pm

WHERE: University Community Presbyterian Church, 3510 College Road

The Interior Alaska Center for Non-violent Living will be hosting a Take Back the Night march and rally on Saturday, April 28. The march will begin at the University Community Presbyterian Church, 3510 College Road, at 1pm. The marchers will travel down University and Geist Roads before returning to the University Community Presbyterian Church for a rally and speakers. For further information, please contact Adrian at 907-452-2293.

Equal Pay Day Poster Display

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The Intro to Women's and Gender Studies 201 Equal Pay Day posters are on display in the Wood Center @ UAF through Monday, April 23rd.  Stop by, check out the posters to see what the 201 students have discovered about the pay gap. Come right away to beat the crowds :-) 

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Click on image for enlarged view