Tell Alaska Not to Prosecute Sex Workers Who Report Violent Crimes!
- by: Tara Burns
- recipient: Alaska Governor Bill Walker, Attorney General Jahna Lindemoth, Alaska
On Monday, June 27, 34-year-old Benjamin Wilkins crashed his car in Anchorage. Police discovered a murder victim in his car – Jacqueline Goodwin had been sexually assaulted, beaten, asphyxiated, and shot. Like a disproportionate number of murder victims in Anchorage, Ms. Goodwin was a sex worker.
There are currently 11 unsolved murders, missing person, and suspicious death cases of sex workers in Anchorage. One reason that many of these cases go unsolved is that sex workers and sex trafficking victims generally do not feel safe reporting violent crimes to the police - 80% of Alaska sex trafficking victims who’d tried to report a crime said that their reports were not taken, and 20% said they were arrested while trying to report.
Senate Bill 91 offers an essential remedy - Section 36 of this bill provides that victims or witnesses who are making a good faith report of a crime like murder, assault, or sex trafficking will not be charged with prostitution as a result of their report.
Governor Walker: We believe that Benjamin Wilkins may have surviving victims, and their testimony could be essential to his long-term incarceration and the safety of the public. The supporters of this petition are calling on you to sign Senate Bill 91 immediately so that surviving victims can come forward without fear of prosecution.
We are also asking Attorney General Jahna Lindemoth to protect the surviving potential surviving victims of Benjamin Wilkins. Their testimony could be important in helping the Attorney General's office to achieve his long-term incarceration and ensure the safety of the public. In this situation it is essential that the AG prioritize public safety above condemnation of women who have sex outside of the law.
We are also asking the Attorney General's office to make an immediate public commitment that any surviving victims of Benjamin Wilkins will not be charged with prostitution (or other “moral crimes”) if they come forward.
Dear Governor Walker and Attorney General Lindemoth,
On Monday, June 27, 34-year-old Benjamin Wilkins crashed his car in Anchorage. Police discovered a murder victim in his car – Jacqueline Goodwin had been sexually assaulted, beaten, asphyxiated, and shot. Like a disproportionate number of murder victims in Anchorage, Ms. Goodwin was a sex worker.
There are currently 11 unsolved murders, missing person, and suspicious death cases of sex workers in Anchorage. One reason that many of these cases go unsolved is that sex workers and sex trafficking victims generally do not feel safe reporting violent crimes to the police - 80% of Alaska sex trafficking victims who’d tried to report a crime said that their reports were not taken, and 20% said they were arrested while trying to report.
Senate Bill 91 offers an essential remedy - Section 36 of this bill provides that victims or witnesses who are making a good faith report of a crime like murder, assault, or sex trafficking will not be charged with prostitution as a result of their report.
Governor Walker: We believe that Benjamin Wilkins may have surviving victims, and their testimony could be essential to his long-term incarceration and the safety of the public. We are calling on you to sign Senate Bill 91 immediately so that surviving victims can come forward without fear of prosecution.
Attorney General Jahna Lindemoth to: Please protect the surviving potential surviving victims of Benjamin Wilkins. Their testimony could be important in helping the Attorney General's office to achieve his long-term incarceration and ensure the safety of the public. In this situation it is essential that the AG prioritize public safety above condemnation of women who have sex outside of the law.
Attorney General Lindemoth: Please make an immediate public commitment that any surviving victims of Benjamin Wilkins will not be charged with prostitution (or other “moral crimes”) if they come forward.
Thank you,
All Alaskans for All Alaskans
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