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People with IDD are more likely to need this support. It can help those who have experienced things like sexual assault, child abuse, or domestic violence
- Sign in or testify on SB 5362
- Send comment to your legislators on SB 5362
- SB 5362 is being heard at 10:30 am Monday, February 3, in the Senate Law & Justice committee. You will be able to watch it here
People with intellectual or other developmental disabilities (IDD) are significantly more likely to be victimized than people without IDD. They are:
At least twice as likely to be a victim of a violent crime
4 to 10 times more likely to be abused
There is a bill being heard February 3 to help victims of violent crimes access resources. For example, to get help with:
- Housing assistance
- Therapy
- Legal aid
SB 5362 makes sure community programs and organizations supporting people who have experienced things like sexual assault, child abuse, or domestic violence have money to help people.
Domestic violence includes violent or aggressive behavior in the home, often by a partner
Some people who experience these things prefer to be called victims. Others prefer to be called survivors. We use both words.
BACKGROUND
In 1984, Congress passed a law to help victims of violent crimes. This law is called the Victims of Crimes Act (VOCA). This law takes money collected in federal cases and uses it to help victims. The money comes from:
- Criminal fines
- Penalties
- Bond forfeitures
The money is for victims who have suffered in these ways:
- Physical
- Emotional
- Money-related
In our state, this money goes to the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy. This office then gives money to programs supporting victims of crime.
Victims/survivors do not need to go to court to prove they were hurt by a violent crime to get resources. Most violent crimes, like sexual assault, do not get reported to the police. This means most people who get hurt by violent crimes do not go to court and accuse specific people of the crime. People who do not go through court also might need support, so resources can go to them, too.
The Office of Crimes Victims Advocacy funds programs over a period of three years. But the funding isn’t the same every year. Sometimes it is low. Some years it is high.
In recent years it has been low.
WHAT MIGHT CHANGE
This bill makes sure community organizations supporting victims/survivors have money to help them, even when there is not a lot of money from the federal program.
The money to support victims/survivors will increase over time:
- $50 million per year from 2025 to 2029
- $60 million per year from 2029 to 2033
- $70 million per year after 2033
The money needs to be used for services and support – not for things like building or fixing up an office or buying equipment.
- Esther Warwick, Community Advocacy Coordinator, The Arc of King County
