Alaska has the highest rate of rape in the United States – more than three times the national average. Over half (51.1%) of all reported victims of sexual assault in Alaska in 2024 were juveniles (State of Alaska Felony Level Sex Offenses Report). Along with the highest rates of sexual assault and child sexual abuse in the nation, Alaska has the highest rates of suicide.
In 2019, the rate in Alaska was 27% higher than in 2010. (Alaska Death by Suicide Rates and Figures 2010-2019). Sexual assault has long been reliably linked to an increased risk for suicide (Byran et al., 2013; Tomasula et al., 2012). Recent research found that people who were sexually assaulted reported an 18% higher prevalence in suicidality than people who were not (Dworkin et al., 2022).
Standing Together Against Rape (STAR) sees firsthand the damage sustained by youth who are groomed and sexually abused by predatory adults. We are in a unique position to share the grave harm that sexual abuse of minors causes in the lives of Alaskans. We strongly support raising the age of consent in Alaska to 18.
Youth who are sexually assaulted are much more vulnerable to ongoing harm. Years of research has shown that nearly half (49%) of all female survivors experienced some form of revictimization over the course of two years. Unwanted sexual contact was the most common form of revictimization. (Relyea, M., & Ullman, S. E. (2017). Without appropriate response and crisis intervention, youth are at higher risk to experience repeat victimizations. This can be avoided by making sexual assaults against minors a priority and making sure they are able to access the healing resources they need. This is impossible if they feel they are not protected, aren’t taken seriously, or that they are somehow to blame for their own victimization.
Alaska’s age of consent for sexual contact is 16. This means an adult of any age can have sex with a sixteen year old. It also means 16- and 17-year-olds are treated as adults, not minors, when reporting a sexual assault. Many adults are unaware of the age of consent and the significant problems it presents in our state. Unfortunately, those who are keenly aware of it are predatory adults.
Older teens are minors. They cannot enter into a contract, rent a motel room or car, get a credit card or open a bank account on their own. If they are in school, a parent or guardian must sign a permission slip for them to go on a field trip or travel with their team for sporting events. They cannot get a tattoo. So why do we fail to offer any guardrails when it comes to engaging in sexual relationships with adults?
Raising the age of consent to 18 is not a unique concept. It would bring Alaska in line with states including, but not limited to Florida, Kentucky, Idaho, Utah, Oregon, California, Wisconsin, Tennessee and Arizona.
House Bill 101 is a bill from Representative Andrew Gray (D – Anchorage) to change the age of consent from 16 to 18, while allowing a close in age exemption between teens. HB 101 already passed the State House unanimously in May 2025. The bill is currently being reviewed by the Senate Judiciary Committee – chaired by Senator Matt Claman (D – Anchorage) – where it is being held-up without a vote.
Today, with all the outrage regarding the Epstein files and calls to hold predatory adults responsible for their abuse of minors, Alaska cannot afford to look the other way. HB 101 passed the House unanimously and deserves a vote in the Senate.
If lawmakers disagree with the bill, they should say so publicly and cast their vote. Alaskans deserve transparency, accountability, and action on legislation that protects our youth from serious harms, including sex trafficking. If you believe adults should not be allowed to have sex with minors, contact Senator Claman today (907-465-4919 or Senate.Judiciary@akleg.gov) and tell him to pass HB 101 out of committee so it can go to the floor for a vote. Silence and delay only serve those who exploit the gaps in our laws.
Keeley Olson has been the Executive Director of STAR for ten years. She has over thirty years’ experience in the field of crime victim advocacy. STAR offers a confidential crisis line for survivors of sexual trauma and their loved ones, who can access support and information 24 hours a day. STAR is well known for its crime victim advocacy and violence prevention programming.