Press Release

Attorney General announces plan to help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault

August 13, 2019

(Anchorage, AK) – Attorney General Kevin G. Clarkson announced today plans to reinvigorate the Department of Law's Pro Bono Program with a focus on helping victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

"We all know that the rates of domestic violence and sexual assault in our state are atrocious," said Attorney General Clarkson. "I appreciate former Attorney General Dan Sullivan's initial efforts to spearhead the pro bono program within the department and I think we can expand and improve it to maximize the ability of department attorneys to volunteer time helping victims. Through our criminal prosecutions, we are going after the perpetrators, but we need to help the survivors and work on prevention. We have many talented lawyers at our department who give back to our community. I want to make it easier for them to do so."

Attorney General Clarkson's plan currently includes three major initiatives:

Once per quarter, Attorney General Clarkson will host a sexual assault and domestic violence clinic day where Alaska attorneys, including those in the Department of Law, can volunteer time to assist victims;
Once per month, Department of Law attorneys will be encouraged, but not required, to assist with the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault's hotline where victims call in for help; and
Attorney General Clarkson will increase the number of hours that Department of Law attorneys can volunteer to do pro bono work for victims.

"This is just the beginning," said Attorney General Clarkson. "We must make inroads on this issue, and we will be looking at additional ways the Department of Law can help with prevention efforts as well as assisting survivors."

One of the areas Attorney General Clarkson will be exploring further is any statutory changes that may make it easier for state attorneys to volunteer their time.

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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.