Washington State

Office of Crime Victim’s Advocacy (Department of Community, Trade & Economic Development)

• Washington State Sexual Assault Services Advisory Committee
• Violence Against Women Act Advisory Committee
• Underserved Victim’s Advisory Committee
• Coordinating Services for Victims of Trafficking Task Force – Co-Chair
• Access and Partnership Group

Department of Social and Health Services

• Secure Placement Advisory Committee
• Civil Commitment / Sex Predator Program Advisory Committee
• Special Commitment Center Advisory Committee
  Washington has the oldest Civil Commitment Law in the country. This advisory council was formed to advise on the components of the treatment program, as well as advise regarding the development of Less Restrictive Alternative housing for residents of the program who are facing imminent release.
• Special Commitment Center Public Relations Focus Group
  Advised on a public communication strategy regarding the development of Lesser Restrictive Alternative Housing for the Department of Social and Health Services.

Washington Coalition of Crime Victim Advocates
As a former board member of this organization, work focuses on collaborative efforts between victim-serving organizations in Washington State. Recent work has focused on the provision of a “Victim Right’s Training” held in five locations in Washington.

Department of Corrections
Victim’s Council
As Co-Chair of the council, the work focuses on collaboration between specific programming in the Washington State Department of Corrections, and a variety of victim’s organizations in the state. Recent work has included the development of policy regarding victim / offender meetings, evaluation of the Victim Notification Program within the Department, and the collection of Legal Financial Obligations (including victim restitution)

• Partnership for Community Safety: Creating Housing Solutions for High Risk Offenders
  This group called the “partnership for Community Safety” has been meeting to discuss transient level III sex offender and Dangerously Mentally Ill Offenders (DIMO). The premise of this multi-disciplinary partnership is that sex offender housing stability will enhance opportunities to monitor and manage this high-risk population.
  • Victim / Witness Notification Program Strategic Planning Workgroup
  • Victim Impact Program Workgroups
  • Community Protection Unit: Victim Empathy Curriculum Review
    Worked with a sub-group of offender education providers to edit the state’s current victim empathy curriculum. Final version due to be complete by June 2003.
  • Restorative Justice Work Group
    Hosted by the Department of Corrections, this workgroup focused on the application of restorative principles and victims of violent crime.

Crime Victim’s Compensation (Department of Labor and Industries)

• Mental Health Services Task Force
• Statewide Advisory Committee
  This committee focuses on policy and fiscal issues for Washington State’s Crime Victim’s Compensation Program. Issues currently being discussed are:
  • Long term strategic planning
  • The implementation of Emergency Contraception guidelines
  • Fiscal solvency and Audit concerns
  • Mental Health Guidelines
  • Long- term evaluation Forensic Evaluations Workgroup

Harborview Center for the Treatment of Traumatic Stress

• Adult Medical Forensic Protocol Revision Workgroup
  After convening an original group to develop model protocols, Harborview has been revising those protocols for adult and child sexual assault examinations.

Department of Health Strategic Planning Committee

• This workgroup was held to discuss a statewide assessment of Violence Against Women issues required by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration

• Advisory Committee
  This committee is an overall advisory committee that comments on JRA policy and procedures. Recently discussed items include an integrated treatment / therapy mode for high-risk juveniles.

Washington State Legislature

• Child Sexual Abuse Protocols Implementation Workgroup
• Joint Select Committee on the Equitable Distribution of Lesser Restrictive Alternative Housing
• Washington State Law and Justice Advisory Committee
  This Governor-appointed council position attempts to promote collaboration between local and state-level criminal justice entities. The addition of formal victims representation is a relatively new addition to the council.
• Time for Trial Task Force
  The Washington State Supreme Court created a task force to address the issue of violations of Washington’s “Speedy Trial Rule” which has resulted in the failed prosecution of a number of defendants in the state.
• Underserved Crime Victim’s Taskforce
  Commissioned by the State Legislature, this working group focused on the development of state infrastructure for underserved victims of crime.
• Sex Offender Notification model Policy
  Convened by the Washington State Patrol, this workgroup focused on revising the current notification policies in the state. This document is due to publish in March 2003.
• Trafficking Taskforce
  Commissioned by the State Legislature, this workgroup focused on building a state infrastructure for victims of trafficking.
• Emergency Contraception Rule-making Workgroup
  After the passage of Washington’s Emergency Contraception Act, the Washington State Department of health requested input regarding informational materials and rule-making process.