Alaska is known for its rugged beauty, but it is not immune to ugliness, such as harassment. Harassment can take many forms and can have serious consequences for those who experience it. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at what harassment in Alaska looks like and how you can protect yourself from being a target of such behavior.
Alaska’s Definition of Harassment
Alaskan officials take street harassment seriously, including many variations such as verbal insults, taking unauthorized photos in a public space, exposure of unwanted body parts, and following someone without their consent. They are met with serious legal repercussions if caught harassing others on the streets, as well as on the internet.
Alaska Harassment Laws
The following are two of the many harassment laws that Alaska has in place, along with the penalties associated with them.
Online harassment is another form of abuse that is illegal in the state of Alaska. Under the statute, AS § 11.61.123 – Indecent viewing or photography, a person commits the crime of indecent viewing or photography if, in the state, the person knowingly views, or produces a picture of, the private exposure of the genitals, anus or female breast of another person and the view or production is without the knowledge or consent.
This crime is considered a class C felony if the photo involves a minor and is punishable by a fine of up to $50,000 and/or up to 2 years in prison. The crime is classified as a class A misdemeanor if the person is an adult, and punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and/or up to a year in jail.
Assault in the Fourth Degree Alaska Stat. §11.41.230
In Alaska, an incident of street harassment may constitute assault if the harasser does or says something that places you in fear of imminent physical injury or death. If a harasser threatens you, either by word or action, to the degree that you feel your immediate safety is in danger, you can him or her for assault in the fourth degree.
Penalty: Assault in the fourth degree is a Class A misdemeanor and punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and/or up to a year in jail.
You can find out more about Alaskan harassment laws by visiting www.stopstreetharassment.org an organization that aims to educate its citizens on their rights.
What to Do If You Are a Victim of a Harassment in Alaska?
If you are being harassed in any way—whether it is through phone calls, emails, text messages, in person, or other means—you should contact the police immediately. The police will investigate your claims and take appropriate action against your harasser if necessary.
Additionally, you should document all incidents with photos, videos, or audio recordings whenever possible so that you have evidence for your report. Lastly, you may wish to consider filing a civil action against your harasser if their actions have caused you physical or emotional harm.
Conclusions
Harassment is a serious issue that affects people all over the world—including right here in Alaska. It’s important to understand what types of behavior constitute harassment so that you can recognize it when it happens and take steps to protect yourself if necessary.
With the right resources and support system, victims of harassment in Alaska can find the options available to them and take action to stop their harassers and reclaim their safety and peace of mind.
