No More Silence in the Dark: A Panel Discussion on Reducing Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault in Alaska
by Barbara Armstrong |
"No More Silence in the Dark" was an event cosponsored by the Justice Center at University of Alaska Anchorage ( ²ÊÉñvlllÕù°Ô) and the Omega Xi chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma, the national criminal justice honor society. The event was presented as part of National Criminal Justice Month 2014 and " ²ÊÉñvlllÕù°Ô Says No More" week.
The event was moderated by Ryan Fortson, Legal Studies faculty in the Justice Center. The program was held March 19, 2014, in the ²ÊÉñvlllÕù°Ô/APU Consortium Library on the ²ÊÉñvlllÕù°Ô campus, with an attendance of more than 150 students, faculty, and members of the public.
Senior Justice majors/Legal Studies minors Simona Gerdts and Kristen Speyerer planned and coordinated this event as part of their capstone project through the ²ÊÉñvlllÕù°Ô Center for Community Engagement & Learning (CCEL). The event, part of the the , which aims to increase awareness and action to end domestic violence and sexual assault, was a key event of ²ÊÉñvlllÕù°Ô Says No More Week, which is intended to become an annual event. ²ÊÉñvlllÕù°Ô's campaign continues at the ²ÊÉñvlllÕù°Ô NO MORE Alliance, a student club, and Simona and Kristen have continued to be involved through the statewide organization . Photos and additional information about the NO MORE campaign can be found on the the .
Panelists
- Ryan Fortson, ²ÊÉñvlllÕù°Ô Justice Center, moderator
- Marny Rivera, ²ÊÉñvlllÕù°Ô Justice Center
- Randi Breager, Program Coordinator with the Alaska State Troopers
- Rhonda Street, Anchorage Police Department officer
- Dave DeLesline, Anchorage Police Department officer
- Shannon Eddy, Legal Project Staff Attorney, Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (ANDVSA)
- Dr. Angelia Trujillo, Forensic Nurse Examiner, ²ÊÉñvlllÕù°Ô School of Nursing

Event Resources
Video PSA
The was created as part of the " ²ÊÉñvlllÕù°Ô Says No More" campaign launched during the Fall 2013 semester at ²ÊÉñvlllÕù°Ô and features ²ÊÉñvlllÕù°Ô students, faculty, and staff. Video production and editing donated by Eric Baldwin, Media Technician, ²ÊÉñvlllÕù°Ô Academic Innovations & ELearning.
Media Reports
- "Domestic Violence: NO MORE" by Nita Mauigoa. The Northern Light, 18 Mar 2014.
- (audio 4:54) by Lori Townsend. Alaska Public Radio Network, 17 Mar 2014.
- by John D. Sutter. CNN.com, 26 Mar 2014.
- "Say 'No More'': ²ÊÉñvlllÕù°Ô Tackles Domestic Violence" by Rebecca Barker and Heather Aronno. Alaska Commons, 26 Mar 2014.
- by ²ÊÉñvlllÕù°Ô Justice Center. ²ÊÉñvlllÕù°Ô Justice Center Blog, Apr 2, 2014.
- by ²ÊÉñvlllÕù°Ô Justice Center. ²ÊÉñvlllÕù°Ô Justice Center Blog, Apr 2, 2014.
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