People Know

   It was with great sadness that I received the recent news that there would be no federal agreement to prosecute Bill Allen for his part in the past sex trafficking that allegedly happened both here in the state of Alaska and elsewhere. I agree with the state that there is a case to be made, both in evidence and solid witness testimony. Our news reports in recent months have shown us that sex trafficking is a crime that is rampant today throughout our state, despite current law enforcement's best efforts. I believe that it is so rampant because nothing seems to have been done about it for decades. There has been little to no fear in the perpetrators mind because most good Alaskans don't recognize this crime in their midst. Most of our society doesn't recognize drug trafficking when it is conducted in front of them and they don't see this either.

   You may have noticed that this week was declared Crime Victims Rights Week in Alaska by Gov. Bill Walker,  even as our legislature struggles to find the right balance between the rights of victims and those of our incarcerated citizens. When it comes to sex trafficking, the most common victim that I have witnessed in this state has been female and she seldom, if ever, sees her evildoer (usually male) brought to justice. When I hear the statistics about how the growth in the female population of Alaska's correctional industry has surpassed the male population by leaps and bounds, I am not surprised by the fact. 

   In balancing the weight of individuals rights, one against the other, please remember that many criminals were first victims of crime themselves who saw no justice in their own life. Often times their rights were first tread upon and the people who knew did nothing.u