The new website, www.seekthenspeakwa.com, allows survivors and community members to learn about post-assault steps, connect to local resources, and choose how they report assaults to law enforcement. The tool was developed in partnership with End Violence Against Women International and the state’s Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Best Practices Advisory Group.
Attorney General Nick Brown emphasized the importance of accessibility in the reporting process, stating, “People who experience sexual assault are not alone in Washington. We are launching the Seek Then Speak website to make sure survivors of sexual assault can access local resources and reporting tools as they seek justice.”
The Attorney General’s Office supports investigations and prosecutions of sexual assault through two criminal justice units and a policy team, funded largely by the state Legislature. Key efforts include:
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Sexual Assault Support Team: Established in 2017, this team aided in testing over 10,000 previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits, helping to identify suspects in unsolved cases. The team also assists law enforcement with forensic genetic genealogy, leading to arrests in cold cases.
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Sexually Violent Predator Unit: Created following a 1990 law allowing for the civil commitment of sex offenders deemed likely to reoffend, this unit handles cases in 38 of Washington’s 39 counties. A recently signed bipartisan bill (HB 1133) will enhance supervision for individuals released from the McNeil Island Special Commitment Center.
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Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Best Practices Advisory Group: Founded in 2015, this group includes survivors, legislators, law enforcement, prosecutors, and healthcare professionals. It reviews best practices in assault investigations and works to reduce untested kit numbers.
For more information about the new tool or ongoing efforts, the public can visit the Attorney General’s website at www.atg.wa.gov.