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 form our Speakers Bureau, we are proud of the strides we’ve made on a number of fronts:

• Alerted state legislators early to a gap in critical federal funding for victim services through the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Crime Victims Fund. State lawmakers responded  with a one-time supplemental appropriation in the state budget. Meanwhile, KCSARC joined a chorus of advocates across the nation in calling on Congress to pass a VOCA fix, which is now signed into law. However, our work to fund supportive services continues — see our 2022 state legislative agenda. 
• 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. And in 2021, we supported landmark legislation that removed barriers to protection orders for survivors. We will continue to support refinements in 2022 that protect survivors.
• Eliminated the Statute of Limitations to prosecute child sexual abuse, and increased the time for adult victims to come forward.