Thread by @otraletra

THREAD

Imagine: you’ve been sexually assaulted.

Your town is so remote that you have to take a plane — without showering — to a larger city in order to have a sexual assault exam or forensic interview.

For some people living in rural Alaska, this is real life.

2/ Stories like this are only the beginning of what @adndotcom @Nadiasussman and I have heard as we continue to report on sexual violence and how it is — and isn’t — dealt within Alaska.

We’ve heard from ~300 people so far, many of them survivors.

We’ve also heard that:

@adndotcom @nadiasussman 3/
-for many abuse started early in life
-many survivors never reported
-those who did often did so only after a 2nd/ 3rd attack
-for many sexual abuse has been a reality for generations

But the survivors we’ve spoken to don’t just want justice from law enforcement + the courts

@adndotcom @nadiasussman 4/
…They also want their voices to be heard.

They want to change how those around them understand the long-term effects of rape & assault, & to protect the next-gen.

That’s where we come in — or so I hope.

@adndotcom @nadiasussman 5/ There’s much more work to be done; @ProPublica and @adndotcom com are working on a broad range of topics.

Read @kylehopkinsAK ongoing reporting and more about our series here: propub.li/2YDbiAA

@adndotcom @nadiasussman @propublica @kylehopkinsAK 6/ But know this: if we’re doing our job correctly, we will tell stories for Alaskans, ask questions about systemic accountability and leave behind resources for those most affected.

@adndotcom @nadiasussman @propublica @kylehopkinsAK 7/ And so, it's with that in mind that we issue another ask to hear from other survivors, including (but not limited to):

-Male survivors of sexual assault in AK
-Trans or nonbinary survivors
-Anyone who can help us get a more inclusive and representative set of stories

Also...

@adndotcom @nadiasussman @propublica @kylehopkinsAK 8/ Elders who survived sexual assault by a clergy member or church staff of any denomination

We know there are large groups — entire generations — who were victimized by outsiders. propublica.org/article/stebbi…

@adndotcom @nadiasussman @propublica @kylehopkinsAK 9/ Also:

-Forensic examiners
-Victim’s advocates
-Law enforcement officers w/ SART experience
-Community health aides

We want to know:
-Are the systems in place working?

@adndotcom @nadiasussman @propublica @kylehopkinsAK 10/ How to get in touch:

-online questionnaire 👇🏽
-email: alaska@propublica
propub.li/2LUsFXL

@adndotcom @nadiasussman @propublica @kylehopkinsAK 11/ Keep up with our reporting here: propub.li/2SWeAtm

And read more about our ongoing reporting here: propub.li/2OyvYpJ