NCJ Number
173745
Date Published
1996
Length
76 pages
Annotation
This study evaluates issues of gender fairness in Alaska's State and Federal court systems and proposes solutions.
Abstract
Women are more likely than men to experience and perceive differential treatment based on their sex, but men also reported sex-related bias, particularly in domestic violence and domestic relations cases. Much of the gender-biased behavior reported by women involved sexist humor; informally addressing women by their first names, men by their surnames; actions based upon sex-related stereotypes; and use of gender-biased language. Women also reported a lack of job opportunities based on merit, favoring male attorneys in and outside of the courtroom, and economic and other disparities in the treatment of women in civil and domestic litigation. The Task Force received reports of gender-biased behavior within Alaska's courtrooms, but most reports involved interactions between attorneys. The Task Force made several general recommendations: (1) Provide gender equality education and materials to private law firms, State and Federal court personnel, and the judiciary; (2) Revise and update Women's Legal Rights Handbook; (3) Publicize information on gender issues and progress toward equality; (4) Adopt State and Federal court rules and a State bar ethics rule prohibiting gender discrimination; (5) Integrate gender bias education into all relevant substantive and procedural courses offered by the Alaska Bar Association and the State and Federal court systems; and (6) Maintain an ongoing group with responsibility for assessing gender bias in a systematic fashion and implementing recommendations. Notes, tables, appendixes