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State of Alaska
DEPARTMENT OF LAW
CRIMINAL DIVISION
FRANK H. MURKOWSKI
GOVERNOR
District Attorney's Office
310 K Street, Suite 520
Anchorage , Alaska 99501
Phone: (907) 269-6300
Fax: (907) 269-6321
March 4, 2005
Nanette & Stacie
It
Happened to Alexa Foundation
904 Center Street
Lewiston , NY 14092
I want to take a moment to tell you how grateful we are for the service you provide.
I am the victim-witness paralegal in the Special Assault Unit of the District Attorney's Office in Anchorage , Alaska ; my caseload consists entirely of sexual assault and sexual abuse cases. Recently I submitted to you applications for two victims, one a young adult victim of prior sexual abuse, and another a victim of sexual assault.
I was directed to your foundation by the Alaska Office of Victims' Rights, an agency established to help victims of crime obtain the rights they have under Alaska 's constitution and statutes. I was trying to find a way to help one of the victims, a young adult who had been sexually abused by a family member for most of her teenage years. The crime happened in Alaska, however she no longer lives here and has no family here to support her during the trial. Airfare to Alaska is very expensive and when the victim is an adult, the State will pay only for the victim's travel and expenses. Your immediate response to this young woman, and to me, simply overwhelmed us. Within days she knew that she would be able to bring two companions with her for support throughout the ordeal of the trial. I cannot express to you how much relief this knowledge provides this lovely young woman, whose goal in life now is to become an advocate for other crime victims.
My other referral to you is a story of Alaska 's remote nature. The young woman lives in a rural village (population approximately 1200 people) and had come to visit Anchorage , where the crime occurred. Her village is not accessible by road – the only way to Anchorage is by airplane- actually a large part of the distance by small aircraft. As the young woman is an adult, I had again the situation where a person who really is a stranger to Anchorage was going to have to come here, alone, for trial. I told the young woman about It Happened to Alexa Foundation , and together we filled out her application. I heard from you within days, and so did this young woman – you even spoke at length with her mother. You've arranged for her to bring her mother and a cousin when the case goes to trial later this month.
Yesterday I emailed your website URL to the other victim-witness paralegals in the Department of Law for the State of Alaska . Their responses were immediate, and they are amazed that there is an organization that can help sexual assault victims in this manner. All of our offices have victims who are in situations like the remote village resident described above - which simply is the nature of Alaska . I expect you will receive many requests from the State of Alaska, and I thank you so much for your service, it provides tremendous compassion to those in need.
Sincerely,
SCOTT J. NORDSTRAND
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL
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Sue Wilson
Victim-Witness Paralegal II
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