From: Dodie Finstead

Native candidate speaks about sexual assaults
http://www.indianz.com/News/2008/008568.asp
Tuesday, May 6, 2008


Diane Benson, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House, didn't expect her past
sexual assaults to be a part of her campaign.

But after Benson, who is Tlingit, spoke about being a survivor at a conference
last week, she has decided to use her run to call attention to high rates of
violence against Native women. She said not every victim has had the money or
resources to cope with the trauma and stress of being assaulted.

"What if there was no place for me to turn when the nightmares finally caught up
with me and consumed my life?" Benson said at a press conference, The Anchorage
Daily News reported. "Would I be standing here today? Not likely."

Benson said few attackers of Native women are brought to justice. She called for
more funding for women's shelters and for more collaboration between tribal,
state and federal agencies.

Benson is one of three Democrats who want to challenge Rep. Don Young (R) for
Alaska's sole Congressional seat.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I'M VOTING FOR BARACK OBAMA
http://www.barackobama.com/index.php
WWW.DEFENDBEARBUTTE.ORG
LEGALIZE HEMP
http://www.youthfederation.com/herer_speech062001.html
HIV TESTING SAVES LIVES


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]