SC Alaska News

January 22, 2023

To:   University of Alaska Anchorage Faculty, Staff and StudentsFrom:   University of Alaska Anchorage Police Department

Re:   Timely Warning Notification – Dating Violence & Stalking Incidents Reported

This notice is to comply with the federal Clery Act, Timely Warning Notification requirements.

The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) Police Department received information on January 22, 2023, about reported dating violence & stalking incidents at the University of Alaska Anchorage On-Campus. The reporting party stated another person was continuing unwanted contact and behaviors.

The incidents were referred to the UAA Office of Equity and Compliance and anonymously reported for statistical purposes to the University Police Department.

The University takes all matters of personal safety very seriously. If you believe you are the victim of a crime, you can seek assistance from the University Police Department, 907-786-1120; the UAA Office of the Dean of Students, 907-786-1214; or the UAA University's Office of Equity and Compliance (Title IX Coordinator), 907-786-0818. 

Dating Violence Prevention - Healthy Relationships

Healthy relationships share certain characteristics. They include:

• Mutual respect. Respect means that each person values who the other is and understands the other person’s boundaries.

• Trust. Partners should place trust in each other and give each other the benefit of the doubt.

• Honesty. Honesty builds trust and strengthens the relationship.

• Compromise. In a dating relationship, each partner does not always get his or her way. Each should acknowledge different points of view and be willing to give and take.

• Individuality. Neither partner should have to compromise who he/she is, and his/her identity should not be based on a partner’s. Each should continue seeing his or her friends and doing the things he/she loves. Each should be supportive of his/her partner wanting to pursue new hobbies or make new friends.

• Good communication. Each partner should speak honestly and openly to avoid miscommunication. If one person needs to sort out his or her feelings first, the other partner should respect those wishes and wait until he or she is ready to talk.

• Anger control. We all get angry, but how we express it can affect our relationships with others. Anger can be handled in healthy ways such as taking a deep breath, counting to ten, or talking it out.

• Fighting fair. Everyone argues at some point, but those who are fair, stick to the subject, and avoid insults are more likely to come up with a possible solution. Partners should take a short break away from each other if the discussion gets too heated.

• Problem solving. Dating partners can learn to solve problems and identify new solutions by breaking a problem into small parts or by talking through the situation.

• Understanding. Each partner should take time to understand what the other might be feeling.

• Self-confidence. When dating partners have confidence in themselves, it can help their relationships with others. It shows that they are calm and comfortable enough to allow others to express their opinions without forcing their own opinions on them.

• Being a role model. By embodying what respect means, partners can inspire each other, friends, and family to also behave in a respectful way.

• Healthy sexual relationship. Dating partners engage in a sexual relationship that both are comfortable with, and neither partner feels pressured or forced to engage in sexual activity that is outside his or her comfort zone or without consent.

Unhealthy Relationships

Unhealthy relationships are marked by characteristics such as disrespect and control. It is important to be able to recognize signs of unhealthy relationships before they escalate. Some characteristics of unhealthy relationships include:

• Control. One dating partner makes all the decisions and tells the other what to do, what to wear, or who to spend time with. He or she is unreasonably jealous, and/or tries to isolate the other partner from his or her friends and family.

• Hostility. One dating partner picks a fight with or antagonizes the other dating partner. This may lead to one dating partner changing his or her behavior in order to avoid upsetting the other.

• Dishonesty. One dating partner lies to or keeps information from the other. One dating partner steals from the other.

• Disrespect. One dating partner makes fun of the opinions and interests of the other partner or destroys something that belongs to the partner.

• Dependence. One dating partner feels that he or she “cannot live without” the other. He or she may threaten to do something drastic if the relationship ends.

• Intimidation. One dating partner tries to control aspects of the other's life by making the other partner fearful or timid. One dating partner may attempt to keep his or her partner from friends and family or threaten violence or a break-up.

• Physical violence. One partner uses force to get his or her way (such as hitting, slapping, grabbing, or shoving).

• Sexual violence. One dating partner pressures or forces the other into sexual activity against his or her will or without consent.1Footnote1 Adapted from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. (2005). 

Stalking:There is a difference between State of Alaska statutes, federal statutes, and the U.S. Department of Education definitions regarding stalking. However, stalking is a series of actions that make a person afraid, distressed, or in danger. Stalking can be online or in-person and is serious.

Here is some information about stalking:Stalkers most often demonstrate multiple behaviors:

• Unwanted contact

• Following or tracking you

• Gathering information about you

• Sending unwanted gifts or letters

• Showing up or waiting for you at places like class, residence hall or home, work-place, library, or the gym• Damaging your property

• Spreading rumors (on-line or in person)

• Harassing or threating you or those close to you

What you can do if you believe you are the victim of stalking:

• Trust your instincts (the stalking is not your fault, and you cannot control the stalker’s behavior).

• Contact people you trust and tell them about it.

• Contact University offices such as the University Police, Dean of Students Office, Office of Equity and Compliance, Residence Life, or Human Resources.

• Contact law enforcement and file a police report.

• Document everything! Free logs are available online: https://www.stalkingawareness.org/.../SPARC...  

• Meet with appropriate University officials to develop a safety plan.

To review University material related to campus safety please visit the University of Alaska Anchorage Annual Security and Fire Safety Report https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety/ 

Off Campus Resources:

U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, Stalking Awareness Resources: https://www.stalkingawareness.org/what-to-do-if-you-are.../# 

National Center for Victims of Crime, Stalking Resource Center: https://victimsofcrime.org/stalking-resource-center/

Available University of Alaska Anchorage Resources:

Information regarding Title IX can be located here:https://www.alaska.edu/titleIXcompliance/ 

Information regarding the Clery Act can be located here:https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety/

Information regarding the University Police can be located here:https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/upd

UPD recommends downloading the RAVE Guardian Safety App and connecting to a wide range of University support services and reporting mechanisms via the app https://www.raveguardian.com/ 

Follow the University Police on social media at:

Facebook

University Police https://www.facebook.com/University-of-Alaska-Anchorage.../ 

UPD Chief of Police https://www.facebook.com/UPDChiefOfPolice 

Original source can be found here.