Advocate for change with KCSARC
KCSARC works at the state, local and federal level to strengthen public policies and resources that support survivors of sexual assault. Together with our supporters, partners, and with courageous survivors who participate in our Empowered Voices program, we are proud of the strides we’ve made on a number of fronts.
- Services at risk: We alerted state legislators that rising demand for services paired with both steep decreases in federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding and two decades of level state funding put availability of victim services at risk. State lawmakers have responded in recent years with one-time supplemental appropriations in the state budget. That stopgap funding helped temporarily stave off further reductions in services for victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse and other violent crimes. With our statewide partners, KCSARC will continue to advocate for permanent resources that stabilize victim services.
- Preventing sexual abuse, now and in the future: We have ensured every K-12 student in the state of Washington can access comprehensive sexual health education and with it, foundational lessons that better help identify sexual abuse and prevent sexual violence from happening.
- Increased access and removed barriers to Sexual Assault Protection Orders: Survivors can now seek SAPO protections effective for up to a lifetime. In 2021, we supported landmark legislation that removed barriers to protection orders for survivors.
- Eliminated the Statute of Limitations to prosecute child sexual abuse, and increased the time for adult victims to come forward.
Local advocacy
At the County level, KCSARC has called for prioritization of sexual assault survivors awaiting justice in the criminal justice system — see our “Long Wait” report, and its 2024 follow up, Navigating Justice, which examined the experiences and outcomes of 408 victims in the King County Superior Court system.
As King County leaders warn of an anticipated and significant revenue shortfall in the next biennial budget, we will remain vocal in advocating for continuation of victim services.
There’s more to do — and we need your help
We need to ensure every victim is able to speak their truth — and be heard. We’re working to stabilize supportive community resources for survivors, and for laws that protect survivors, uphold their rights and prevent further harm when they engage in the criminal justice system.
Join our email alert system to be the first to know when it’s time to speak up with your legislators about policies that impact survivors. We’ll let you know what the issue is and how to contact the right decision-makers.