Press Release

Senior Alaska Assistant Attorney General Receives Light of Hope Award for her Work Involve Child Victims of Abuse and Neglect

April 24, 2006

(Anchorage) - Alaska Assistant Attorney General Susan Wibker was one of twenty recipients of the 2006 Light of Hope Award at a ceremony held at the Hotel Captain Cook last week. Wibker, an attorney in the Child Protections Services unit of the Department of Law was recognized for her exemplary work handling some of the state's most serious child abuse and neglect cases.

"Protecting our children from the harms of child abuse and neglect is one the most important functions of the Department of Law and I am pleased to report that one of our own has been recognized for her role in handling these cases," said Attorney General David Márquez. "Susan is truly a light of hope among the child advocates who have honored her and among her peers within the department of law."

Wibker has served as an assistant attorney general since September 1996. From 1991 though 1996 she served as an assistant district attorney. She has a Masters of Science degree in psychology and previously worked as a mental health therapist specializing in sexual abuse cases.

"Susan is an incredible asset to the department of law," said Chief Assistant Attorney General Dianne Olsen, who heads up the Child Protection Section for the Alaska Department of Law. "She is an excellent attorney who brings to the job a passion to help children and an extensive background as a former prosecutor and mental health therapist. She knows the system and she works tirelessly to improve the lives of many of Alaska's children."

The Light of Hope Award events are held in April in observance of National Child Abuse and Prevention Month. The events are coordinated around the state as part of the Alaska CASA Program, in coordination with CASAs for Children and other community partners to provide hope to abused and neglected children in Alaska and to celebrate the efforts of individuals working on their behalf.

"I am also pleased to acknowledge the efforts of Darin Goff, an assistant attorney general who works in the Child Protection section," said Márquez. "Darin was a nominee for an award this year and I believe that fact reflects well on the dedication and professionalism of this section. I commend both Susan and Darin for jobs well done."

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Department Media Contacts: Communications Director Patty Sullivan at patty.sullivan@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6368. Information Officer Sam Curtis at sam.curtis@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6269.