Empowered Voices: 2025 in Review

The King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC) Empowered Voices program supports former KCSARC clients who want to make their voices heard — sharing their stories to help communities and policymakers better understand and respond to sexual violence, and to let other survivors know they are not alone.

Empowered Voices is a space where survivors find community, build confidence, and deepen their understanding of the issues they are advocating for. Each quarter, members come together for workshops and trainings led by KCSARC staff, covering topics such as public speaking, policy and legislation, self-care and KCSARC’s mission.

The program is growing quickly, and so is the sense of community within it. As members continue to connect, we see them becoming more empowered — not only through what they are learning, but through the relationships they are building with each other and with staff. Survivors support one another and celebrate each other’s work in meaningful ways, forming a community rooted in shared experience and a shared commitment to driving change.

Empowered Voices members have been busy making their voices heard this past year. Here are some highlights of their incredible advocacy work in 2025:

• Andy interviewed with Cascade PBS to help inform the community about the impact of cuts to victim services funding
• Tramoya spoke at KCSARC’s annual BE LOUD Breakfast fundraiser
• Lynne spoke at Addressing the Crisis in Crime Victim Services, a legislative briefing hosted by KCSARC and its partners, where she shared why strong community support programs are essential for healing, recovery, and safety

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  Nick spoke at KCSARC’s annual Board of Directors retreat to help our Board grow in their understanding of survivor experience

• Chelsea testified at a King County Council budget hearing to support funding for victim services

• Several members contributed blog posts to
  our monthly newsletter
• Several members attended the Summit on Crime Survivors, joining survivors, advocates, and policymakers for conversation and collective action
• Several members shared quotes for KCSARC’s 2024–2025 Impact Report
• Several members submitted written testimony to the City of Seattle, King County, and the State of Washington, advocating for funding to protect access to sexual assault services

We are deeply grateful to Empowered Voices members who volunteer their time with this program, and who do so much to educate and drive positive change in our communities. It’s an honor to work with them and support their voices.

If you’re a former KCSARC client who wants to explore how you can raise your voice for change, we invite you to join Empowered Voices. Click here to learn more about our program and let us know you’re interested by completing an application form at the bottom of the page.