Challenging Doubt: Johnson on GBV
Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski at the capitol in 2021.
We are proud to announce that Associate Professor Ingrid Johnson from UAF's Department of Justice has been featured in the Anchorage Daily News for her op-ed examining gender-based violence and political accountability. In her piece, Dr. Johnson critically analyzes Senator Lisa Murkowski's recent decision to vote against Pete Hegseth's confirmation as U.S. Secretary of Defense. Murkowski’s opposition was influenced in part by allegations of sexual assault and intimate partner abuse against Hegseth—claims that have contributed to broader discussions about accountability in positions of power.
She argues that Murkowski’s decision represents a significant step in shifting societal attitudes toward gender-based violence. By opposing the confirmation of a high-profile nominee facing such allegations, Murkowski reinforces the importance of believing survivors. Dr. Johnson notes that when leaders prioritize ethics over party loyalty, it can create lasting shifts in cultural and institutional responses to gender-based violence.
She also contextualizes the issue within Alaska’s troubling statistics. With Alaska consistently ranking among the highest in the nation for domestic violence and sexual assault, Murkowski’s vote carries particular weight in a state where accountability is urgently needed.
Dr. Ingrid Johnson
Dr. Johnson argues that this decision is more than a political stance—it is a message to survivors that their experiences matter and that those in power are listening. While this action alone cannot solve the problem, it is a meaningful step in fostering accountability and strengthening efforts to combat gender-based violence in Alaska and beyond.
Dr. Johnson, who was raised in Delta Junction and Fairbanks, earned her B.A. in Justice from UAF in 2010. She later completed an M.A. and Ph.D. in Criminal Justice at Temple University. After serving as a professor at the Â鶹¹ÙÍø Anchorage's Justice Center from 2018 to 2024, she returned to UAF with extensive research and teaching experience in criminal justice policy and victim advocacy. This semester, Dr. Johnson is teaching JUST F492: Crime Victimization and Justice, an online course that delves into the complexities of victimization and the justice system's response.
The UAF Department of Justice offers comprehensive programs, including bachelor's and master's degrees in justice and justice administration. These programs prepare students for diverse careers in the justice system, combining theoretical foundations with practical applications. With both online and in-person course offerings, the department provides flexibility for a wide range of students.