Washington's New Sexual Assault Reporting Website: A 'Starting Point' for Survivors

The Washington State Attorney General's Office launched a new website last month to help survivors report sexual assault.

"Seek then Speak WA" went live for Washington users in April. The website features legal consultation and mental health resources, as well as a "self-guided interview" to document information about the survivor's experience. 

The online program had previously been created by End Violence Against Women International. Attorney General Nicholas Brown's office partnered with the organization to develop the tools specifically for Washington. 

Over 433,000 Americans 12 and older were victims of sexual assault last year, according to Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network (RAINN). Two out of three sexual assaults go unreported.

Sexual Violence Law Center (SLVC) Executive Director Riddhi Mukhopadhyay said the website is a starting point for survivors 18 and up. 

Based in Seattle, SLVC is a nonprofit law firm that provides survivors with legal support and representation.

"Reporting [sexual assault] can feel very stressful for survivors," Mukhodpadhyay said. "[Survivors can] feel like once the criminal process starts, they don't have as much control [over the rest of the process]."

The site is broken down into two parts: The "Seek" portion guides a user through possible next steps following an assault, from medical care, counseling services, to understanding what a police investigation might look like. "Seek" can also connect a user to local rape crisis centers.

The "Speak" portion leads a user to a detailed questionnaire to provide an overview of their experience. Users can choose to provide their name or remain anonymous, according to the website. The program encourages users to answer questions at their own pace.

A user can save a copy of their own report, but the program cannot access their responses or the final document.

Users can provide the report created on the site to law enforcement — but not all survivors may choose to do so.

King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC) Chief Program Officer Larraine Lynch said any innovation that expands a survivor's choices is important.

"[Survivors] deserve options," Lynch said. "That is number one, that survivors have the information they need, they have the support that they need to make the choice that feels right for them."

KCSARC provides support to sexual trauma survivors of all ages. Services include mental health counseling, family services, and legal advocacy.

Providers at KCSARC are anxiously awaiting news of state funding for the Victims of Crime Act State Plan, which provides resources for survivors of domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault. The budget for this plan is projected to be slashed in half by state legislators in the coming months, the Washington State Standard reported.

With a tool as new as "Seek then Speak," Mukhodpadhyay says there's always room for improvement, including this resource in multiple languages.

"This is just a starting point," Mukhodpadhyay said. "There will hopefully be more opportunities to continue to build on applications and online tools like this," she said.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault or gender-based violence, support is available. The following are resources for survivors:

• Seek then Speak: a resource portal on next steps for reporting an assault.

• King County Sexual Assault Resource Center: an independent nonproft that provides mental health, legal advocacy, and medical advocacy for survivors of all ages.

• Sexual Violence Law Center: a nonprofit law firm that provides holistic legal aid for survivors of sexual and gendered violence.

• Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network: a national sexual assault hotline and resource portal. 

• Muslimah's Against Abuse Center: a resource center serving Muslim survivors of abuse and violence.

Editors' Note: This article has been updated to correct the spelling of KCSARC's chief program officer's name and to correct the description of services the organization provides.