The plan would strengthen frontline services, improve investigations, expand rural response, and better support families searching for missing loved ones.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Tom Begich released a plan to confront Alaska’s domestic violence and sexual assault epidemic and strengthen the state’s response to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons crisis.

Alaska has faced some of the highest rates of domestic violence and sexual assault in the nation for far too long. Shelters, clinics, prosecutors, and rural emergency responders often lack the resources needed to prevent violence, support victims, and hold offenders accountable.

At the same time, too many Alaska Native families searching for a missing loved one face delays, poor communication, and gaps between law enforcement agencies.

“These are crises Alaska must confront with urgency,” Tom Begich said. “Victims need support, offenders must be held accountable, and families searching for a loved one deserve answers.”

Tom Begich’s plan has four main priorities:

1. Strengthen frontline services and prevention

Tom Begich will strengthen support for shelters, victim services, and community-based providers. His plan also calls for improved training for judges, prosecutors, healthcare providers, and others who respond to abuse.

He will support clinics and hospitals in identifying and responding to domestic violence, sexual assault, and reproductive coercion, while investing in prevention education and stronger support for Bree’s Law and Erin’s Law.

“Frontline organizations should not have to rely on fundraisers to fill critical gaps in services,” Begich said. “The state must be a stronger partner in supporting victims and preventing violence.”

2. Improve investigations and accountability

Tom Begich will work to strengthen the investigation and prosecution of domestic violence and sexual assault cases and improve coordination so patterns of abuse are not lost between agencies or individual cases.

His plan also calls for expanding the state’s ability to identify connections across MMIP cases and holding his administration to high standards of conduct, transparency, and accountability.

“Victim privacy must be protected, and patterns of violence cannot be ignored,” Begich said. “Allegations must be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly, regardless of who is involved.”

3. Strengthen rural and emergency response

Tom Begich will work to improve Alaska’s emergency response systems, strengthen rural law enforcement, and address Village Public Safety Officer vacancies.

He will also improve coordination among Alaska State Troopers, Tribal police, VPSOs, search and rescue teams, victim advocates, and prosecutors, while developing a faster and more coordinated response to high-risk disappearances.

“In a state as large and remote as Alaska, delays can cost lives and allow cases to go cold,” Begich said. “Rural communities deserve a stronger and more reliable response from the first call.”

4. Support families and close jurisdictional gaps

Tom Begich will improve support for families throughout missing person investigations and continue advancing recommendations developed by Alaska’s MMIP leaders and communities.

His plan also calls for stronger cooperation and data-sharing between the state, Tribes, and local law enforcement, as well as expanded support for Tribal, village-based, and rural service providers.

“Families searching for a missing loved one should not have to navigate law enforcement, the courts, victim services, and the media alone,” Begich said. “Cases should not be allowed to stall because of jurisdictional gaps.”

Tom Begich said that as governor, he will strengthen the people and organizations doing the work, improve coordination, respond more effectively, and provide greater support to victims and families.

The full plan is available at www.tombegichforalaska.com/Alaska-Dream.