Nick Begich Touted The Endorsement Of Alaska Representative Sarah Vance, Who Faced Backlash In 2024 For Criticizing A Presentation On The Disproportionate Rates Of Sexual Violence Against Indigenous Women For Its Lack Of Inclusion Of White Women

Alaska Representative Sarah Vance Endorsed Begich In 2024. [Nick Begich for Alaska, Accessed 9/20/24]

2024: Rep. Vance Apologized After Facing Backlash For Responding To Testimony About The Disproportionate Rates Of Sexual Violence Against Native Women With Criticism For Its Lack Of Inclusion Of White Women. “Rep. Sarah Vance of Homer apologized on the House floor Monday for comments she made in a House Tribal Affairs Committee meeting last week. Committee members heard testimony from people working in organizations serving Alaska Native peoples on the disparities in assault rates and violence against Indigenous women, which is several times higher than the general population. At the end of the meeting, Vance said she felt the presentation excluded the experiences of white women who are victims of sexual violence. ‘It’s the same thing. But what I continue to hear in this committee over and over again, is if you are the only one. And I know that’s not your heart,’ she said. ‘But I asked that, when you come and present, that you remember that you have white sisters who are going through the same thing.’” [KTOO, 2/14/24]

+++