RCW 43.280.010
Intent.
The legislature recognizes the need to increase the services available to the victims of sexual assault. The legislature also recognizes that these services are most effectively planned and provided at the local level through the combined efforts of concerned community and citizens groups, treatment providers, and local government officials. The legislature further recognizes that adequate services for victims is not only a matter of justice for the victim, but also a method by which additional abuse can be prevented.
The legislature intends to enhance the community-based services available to the victims of sexual assault by:
(1) Providing consolidated funding support for local programs which provide services to victims of sexual assault, as defined in RCW 70.125.030
;
(2) Providing technical assistance and support to help communities plan for and provide victim services;
(3) Providing sexual assault services with a victim-focused mission, and consistent standards, policies, and granting and reporting requirements; and
(4) Providing communities and local victim service providers with opportunities to share information about successful prevention and treatment programs.
[
2012 c 29 s 1
;
1996 c 123 s 2
;
1990 c 3 s 1201
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
1996 c 123:
"This act shall take effect July 1, 1996." [
1996 c 123 s 11
.]
RCW 43.280.011
Intent
—
Approval of committee recommendations.
The Washington state sexual assault services advisory committee issued a report to the department of commerce and the department of social and health services in June of 1995. The committee made several recommendations to improve the delivery of services to victims of sexual assault: (1) Consolidate the administration and funding of sexual assault and abuse services in one agency instead of splitting those functions between the department of social and health services and the department of commerce; (2) adopt a funding allocation plan to pool all funds for sexual assault services and to distribute them across the state to ensure the delivery of core and specialized services; (3) establish service, data collection, and management standards and outcome measurements for recipients of grants; and (4) create a data collection system to gather pertinent data concerning the delivery of sexual assault services to victims.
The legislature approves the recommendations of the advisory committee and consolidates the functions and funding for sexual assault services in the department of commerce to implement the advisory committee's recommendations.
[
2012 c 29 s 2
;
1996 c 123 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
1996 c 123:
See note following RCW 43.280.010
.
RCW 43.280.020
Grant program
—
Funding.
(1) The department of commerce is authorized to distribute funds that have been allocated to the grant program that it administers for serving victims of sexual assault.
(2) Activities that can be funded through this grant program are limited to those that:
(a) Provide effective services to victims of sexual assault;
(b) Increase access to and availability of services for victims of sexual assault, particularly if from underserved populations; and
(c) Create or build on efforts by existing community programs, coordinate those efforts, or develop cooperative efforts or other initiatives to make the most effective use of resources to provide treatment services to these victims.
(3) Funding for core, specialized, and underserved populations services, as defined in RCW 70.125.030, must be distributed through a funding formula to those applicants that emphasize providing stable, victim-centered sexual assault services and possess the qualifications to provide those services.
(4) The department of commerce shall ensure that grant recipients assist victims to utilize private insurance and crime victims' compensation benefits first before grant funds are used for therapy services.
[
2012 c 29 s 3
;
1996 c 123 s 3
;
1995 c 399 s 113
;
1990 c 3 s 1203
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
1996 c 123:
See note following RCW 43.280.010
.
RCW 43.280.040
Organizations eligible.
Local governments, nonprofit community groups, and nonprofit treatment providers including organizations which provide services, such as emergency housing, counseling, and crisis intervention shall, among others, be eligible for grants under the program established in RCW 43.280.020
.
[
1990 c 3 s 1205
.]
RCW 43.280.050
Applications
—
Minimum requirements.
(1) At a minimum, grant applications for specialized and underserved services must include the following:
(a) The geographic area from which the victims to be served are expected to come;
(b) A description of the extent and effect of the needs of these victims within the relevant geographic area;
(c) A proposed budget and an explanation of how the funds will be used, their relationship to existing services available within the community, and the need that they will fulfill;
(d) An explanation of what community organizations were involved in the community coordination that resulted in the development of the proposal; and
(e) Documentation of the applicant's capacity to provide specialized services and services for underserved populations, as defined in this chapter, and a description of how the applicant intends to comply with service standards and data collection as established by the department.
(2) At a minimum, grant applications for core services must include the following:
(a) The geographic area from which the victims to be served are expected to come;
(b) Assurance of the applicant's compliance with service standards, data collection, and management standards established by the department; and
(c) Documentation of the applicant's capacity to provide core services, as defined in this chapter.
[
2012 c 29 s 4
;
1996 c 123 s 4
;
1990 c 3 s 1206
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
1996 c 123:
See note following RCW 43.280.010
.
RCW 43.280.060
Awarding of grants.
(1) Subject to funds appropriated by the legislature, the department of commerce shall make awards under the grant program established by RCW 43.280.020
.
(2) Activities funded under this section may be considered for funding in future years, but shall be considered under the same terms and criteria as new activities. Funding under this chapter shall not constitute an obligation by the state of Washington to provide ongoing funding.
[
2012 c 29 s 5
;
1996 c 123 s 5
;
1995 c 399 s 114
;
1990 c 3 s 1207
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
1996 c 123:
See note following RCW 43.280.010
.
RCW 43.280.070
Gifts, grants, and endowments.
The department of commerce may receive such gifts, grants, and endowments from public or private sources as may be made from time to time, in trust or otherwise, for the use and benefit of the purposes of this chapter and expend the same or any income therefrom according to the terms of the gifts, grants, or endowments.
[
2012 c 29 s 6
;
1995 c 399 s 115
;
1990 c 3 s 1208
.]
RCW 43.280.080
Office of crime victims advocacy.
The office of crime victims advocacy is established in the department of commerce. The office shall assist communities in planning and implementing services for crime victims, advocate on behalf of crime victims in obtaining needed services and resources, and advise local and state governments on practices, policies, and priorities that impact crime victims. In addition, the office shall administer grant programs for services to victims of crime and prevention activities as authorized by state or federal legislation, budget, or executive order. The department shall seek, receive, and make use of any funds which may be available from federal or other sources to augment state funds appropriated for the purpose of this section, and shall make every effort to qualify for federal funding.
[
2012 c 29 s 7
;
1995 c 241 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Office designated as the single point of contact in state government regarding the trafficking of persons: RCW 7.68.370
.
RCW 43.280.090
Office of crime victims advocacy
—
Ad hoc advisory committees.
The director of the department of commerce may establish ad hoc advisory committees, as necessary, to obtain advice and guidance regarding the office of crime victims advocacy program.
[
2012 c 29 s 8
;
1995 c 269 s 2102
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
Part headings not law
—
Severability
—
1995 c 269:
See notes following RCW 18.16.050
.
RCW 43.280.095
Statewide training on Washington's human trafficking laws
—
Training entity
—
Report.
(1) The office of crime victims advocacy shall establish a statewide training program on Washington's human trafficking laws for criminal justice personnel.
(2) The training shall be provided where possible by an entity that has experience in developing coalitions, training, programs, and policy on human trafficking in Washington.
(3) The entity will provide or coordinate training for law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, and court personnel covering Washington's state antitrafficking laws, the investigation of sex trafficking cases, and the adjudication of sex trafficking cases. The training shall encourage interdisciplinary coordination among criminal justice personnel, build cultural competency, and develop understanding of diverse victim populations including children, youth, and adults.
(4) The office shall provide a biennial report to the appropriate policy committees of the legislature on the statewide training program, with a focus on the effectiveness of the training.
[
2015 c 101 s 2
.]
NOTES:
Finding
—
2015 c 101:
"The legislature finds that in order to reduce instances of human trafficking in our state there needs to be a cohesive and concerted statewide training program provided to those in the law enforcement and legal community. This training is intended to help promote the use of existing laws to initiate sustainable and viable investigations, prosecutions, and adjudications in all jurisdictions across the state." [
2015 c 101 s 1
.]
RCW 43.280.100
Revenue collection under RCW 9.68A.105, 9A.88.120, or
9A.88.140
—
Expenditure of revenue
—
Conditions
—
Report.
(1) The department of commerce shall prepare and submit an annual report to the legislature on the amount of revenue collected by local jurisdictions under RCW 9.68A.105, 9A.88.120, or
9A.88.140
and the expenditure of that revenue.
(2) Any funds remitted to the department of commerce pursuant to RCW 9.68A.105, 9A.88.120, or
9A.88.140
shall be spent on the fulfillment of the duties described in subsection (1) of this section. Any remaining funds may be spent on the administration of grants for services for victims of the commercial sex trade, consistent with this chapter.
[
2013 c 121 s 7
.]
NOTES:
Intent
—
Finding
—
2013 c 121:
See note following RCW 43.63A.740
.
RCW 43.280.110
Public restrooms
—
Model notice on human trafficking
—
Voluntary posting
—
Report to legislature.
(1) Every establishment that maintains restrooms for use by the public may voluntarily, upon availability of the model notice as described in subsection (2) of this section, post a notice that complies with the requirements of this section in a conspicuous place within all restrooms of the establishment in clear view of the public and employees. The office of crime victims advocacy may work with businesses and other establishments and with human trafficking victim advocates to adopt policies for the placement of such notices.
(2)(a) The model notice that may be voluntarily posted pursuant to subsection (1) of this section may be in a variety of languages and include toll-free telephone numbers a person may call for assistance, including the number for the national human trafficking resource center and the number for the Washington state office of crime victims advocacy.
(b) The office of crime victims advocacy shall review and approve the initial form and content of the model notice to ensure the notice is appropriate for public display and likely to be an effective communication to reach human trafficking victims. The office of crime victims advocacy shall review the model notice on a yearly basis to ensure the information provided remains accurate.
(3) The cost of production, printing, and posting of the model notices shall be paid by a participating nonprofit at no cost to the state.
(4) The office of crime victims advocacy must provide a report to the appropriate committees of the legislature no later than December 31, 2016, regarding the voluntary participation in this effort.
[
2015 c 273 s 5
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2015 c 273:
See note following RCW 7.68.370
.
Human trafficking informational posters at rest areas: RCW 47.38.080
.
RCW 43.280.120
Funding for healing, support, and transition services
—
Reports.
(1) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(a) "Adult with lived experience of sex trafficking" means any person age 18 or older who was a person who has been forced or coerced to perform a commercial sex act including, but not limited to, being a victim of offenses defined in RCW 9A.40.100, 9A.88.070, 9.68A.101, and the trafficking victims protection act of 2000, 22 U.S.C. Sec. 7101 et seq.; or a person who was induced to perform a commercial sex act when they were less than 18 years of age including but not limited to the offenses defined in chapter
9.68A
RCW.
(b) "Healing, support, and transition service provider" means an entity or person that provides healing and transition services that meet the self-determined needs of adults with lived experience of sex trafficking ages 18 and older.
(c) "Healing, support, and transition services" means safe and trauma-informed services that are tailored to the self-determined needs of each individual. Healing, support, and transition services include:
(i) Advocacy;
(ii) Safety planning;
(iii) Housing and related support including support related to relocation;
(iv) Substance use disorder treatment;
(v) Medical and behavioral health services and other trauma-informed services;
(vi) Legal advocacy, which may include immigration system support, vacatur support, or other civil legal assistance;
(vii) Translation and interpretation;
(viii) Education;
(ix) Job training;
(x) Employment support;
(xi) Outreach; and
(xii) Emergency financial assistance.
(d) "Office" means the office of crime victims advocacy established under RCW 43.280.080
.
(2) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the office shall administer funding for healing, support, and transition services for adults with lived experience of sex trafficking. At least one of the healing, support, and transition service providers must be located east of the crest of the Cascade mountains, and at least one of the healing, support, and transition service providers must be located west of the crest of the Cascade mountains. Law enforcement, service providers, the department of children, youth, and families, and other state or local organizations may refer adults to healing, support, and transition services or adults may self-refer.
(3) The healing, support, and transition service providers receiving funding under this section must:
(a) Offer healing, support, and transition services designed to enhance safety and reduce and prevent further trauma;
(b) Provide ongoing services for adults with lived experience of sex trafficking;
(c) Provide culturally, developmentally, and linguistically informed and responsive services with priority given to underserved populations in the region, which are most impacted by sex trafficking. Depending on the region, underserved populations may include people who are African American, Asian, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, American Indian, Alaska Native, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, two-spirit, intersex, asexual, other identities that fall outside of cisgender and heterosexual paradigms +, or Latine;
(d) Incorporate into the program leadership from communities with unique risk factors for sex trafficking, sex trafficking survivor leadership, survivor-informed services, and survivor mentorship;
(e) Meet core needs, provide long-term services, and offer skill training to increase the range of options available to participants, including transition services;
(f) Not require proof of identification in order to access services or that an individual self-identify as a sex trafficking victim in order to initially access services;
(g) Regularly participate in coordination meetings for healing, support, and transition service providers;
(h) Provide training and information to law enforcement officers, prosecutors, service providers and other first responders, and communities with culturally specific risk factors for sex trafficking on how to engage and refer individuals to these services; and
(i) Report data on outcomes of the healing, support, and transition services to the office, collected on a quarterly basis from clients who may be compensated for survey participation.
(4) The office shall:
(a) Prioritize funding for healing, support, and transition service providers located in underserved areas of the state that have a need for healing, support, and transition services;
(b) Provide additional funding to one statewide organization led by adults with lived experience of sex trafficking for the purpose of providing coordinating support and convening statewide coordination meetings, no less than quarterly, for healing, support, and transition service providers and related service providers following a request for proposals;
(c) Issue a request for proposals for healing, support, and transition service providers by September 1, 2023;
(d) Include the following stakeholders in the development of the request for proposals and prioritization of funding:
(i) Diverse community representatives who have lived experience of transitioning out of sex trafficking; and
(ii) The secretary of the department of children, youth, and families, or their designee;
(e) Collect the following data:
(i) Nonidentifiable demographic data of clients served, including whether clients are current or former foster youth;
(ii) Data on trafficking and trauma verification, including the number of clients that have been verified as adults with lived experience of sex trafficking based on information self-disclosed by the client or a referring entity, the type of trafficking, and prior trauma history;
(iii) Data on the services provided to clients; and
(iv) Data on outcomes of the healing, support, and transition services, collected on a quarterly basis from clients;
(f) By December 1, 2024, submit an initial report to the relevant committees of the legislature that includes the following information by service providers:
(i) The number of clients served;
(ii) Nonidentifiable demographic data of the clients served, including whether clients are current or former foster youth; and
(iii) Data on the services provided to clients; and
(g) Beginning December 1, 2025, submit an annual report to:
(i) The relevant committees of the legislature that includes the following information by service provider:
(A) Nonidentifiable demographic data of clients served, including whether clients are current or former foster youth;
(B) Data on trafficking and trauma verification, including the number of clients that have been verified as adults with lived experience of sex trafficking based on information self-disclosed by the client or a referring entity, the type of trafficking, and prior trauma history;
(C) Data on the services provided to clients;
(D) Data on outcomes of the healing, support, and transition services, collected on a quarterly basis from clients; and
(E) Any recommendations for modification or expansion of the healing, support, and transition services; and
(ii) The department of children, youth, and families that includes data on current and former foster youth provided healing, support, and transition services. The department of children, youth, and families shall use this data for coordination with its liaisons for commercially sexually exploited children.
[
2023 c 268 s 2
.]
NOTES:
Findings
—
Intent
—
2023 c 268:
"(1) As the first state in the nation to pass a human trafficking law, Washington has consistently been at the forefront of work to address and prevent human trafficking. The legislature is continuing this leadership by prioritizing the delivery of services for adults with lived experience of sex trafficking by developing a long-term, coordinated, and supportive network of services.
(2) The legislature finds that numerous sex trafficking victims are moved throughout the state of Washington by their traffickers, established by the following:
(a) In 2020, the national human trafficking hotline ranked Washington 11th in the nation for reported cases of human trafficking.
(b) In 2020, 819 survivors of sex trafficking were served by human service agencies in Washington.
(c) In 2020, the highest numbers of likely sex trafficking victims were identified or served in King, Pierce, Benton, Franklin, Clark, Snohomish, Spokane, and Thurston counties.
(3) The legislature finds that the trauma of sex trafficking often starts in childhood and continues into adulthood, established by the following:
(a) A local study of sex trafficking victims in King county estimated 500-700 youth experiencing exploitation in King county alone.
(b) According to data from the national hotline, among likely sex trafficking victims in Washington who reported their age of entry into exploitation, 89 percent reported that they were children when first exploited.
(4) The legislature finds that vulnerable black, brown, indigenous, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, two-spirit, intersex, asexual, and other identities that fall outside of cisgender and heterosexual paradigms are disproportionately trafficked for sex, including that:
(a) While King county's population is seven percent black, 45 percent of children involved in sex trafficking cases are African American;
(b) Black females currently represent about 13 percent of the United States population but represent 40 percent of suspected human trafficking victims;
(c) While King county's population was .9 percent indigenous in 2020, 10 percent of people receiving services for trafficking and sexual exploitation identified as Native American;
(d) One caseworker in Pierce county reported that over the past two years, 78 percent of the missing and murdered indigenous women and persons cases she worked on involved missing women who had indicators of human trafficking.
(5) In order to reduce the trauma, violence, and disproportionate impact of sex trafficking, the legislature intends to create a network of healing, support, and transition services for adults with lived experience of sex trafficking tailored to the self-determined needs of each individual." [
2023 c 268 s 1
.]
RCW 43.280.130
Domestic violence co-responder account.
(1) The domestic violence co-responder account is created in the state treasury. All receipts from fees imposed for deposit in the domestic violence co-responder account under RCW 36.18.010
must be deposited into the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation.
(2) Expenditures from the account may only be used for:
(a) The domestic violence co-responder grant program created in RCW 43.280.135
; and
(b) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, other programs and services to address domestic violence.
[
2025 c 345 s 1
.]
RCW 43.280.135
Domestic violence co-responder grant program.
(1) The domestic violence co-responder grant program is created to be administered by the office of crime victims advocacy.
(2) The domestic violence co-responder grant program must:
(a) Award matching grants to cities and counties for the purpose of establishing and operating domestic violence co-responder programs;
(b) Provide contracted technical assistance and training for grantees using a service provider that has demonstrated effectiveness in providing domestic violence co-responder services; and
(c) Provide contracted services to assist grantees in billing health insurance for domestic violence co-responder services.
(3) For the purposes of this section, a "domestic violence co-responder program" is a program utilizing domestic violence victim advocates that are summoned by law enforcement to the scene of a domestic violence incident and that provide whole family support, resource connection, and care navigation for victims.
[
2025 c 345 s 2
.]