Democratic lawmakers rally for bigger budget to fight gender-based violence

On Valentine’s Day, several democratic Washington state lawmakers gathered to shed light on the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence and pushed for crucial funding to support survivors.

Currently, the state is facing a budget deficit of $10 to $14 billion depending on who you talk with. Funding for the programs could be on the chopping block and that’s why the lawmakers held a press conference at the Capitol Friday.

State Senator Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond, opened the discussion, emphasizing the stark reality that domestic violence has been on the rise in Washington since the pandemic.

“A woman is more likely to be harmed by someone she knows and loves than by a stranger,” Dhingra said. “Domestic violence accounts for 16% of all murders in our state, over 27% of rapes, and more than half of simple assaults.”

A funding crisis for victim services

Colleen McIngels, Director of Victim Services at the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, highlighted the dire funding shortfalls threatening critical services.

“For the past four years, victim service leaders have come back year after year to the legislature to help maintain life-saving services — to keep the doors open, the lights on, and shelter beds available,” McIngels said. “Yet here we are again, asking for the legislature to keep life support for these critical programs.”

Federal funding from the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) has plummeted, with the most recent allocation representing a 90% cut since 2018. Washington’s victim service providers face a 51% funding reduction this year, which McIngels warned would “shatter our already tattered safety net.”

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Legislative solutions in motion

To address the crisis, lawmakers are championing multiple bills aimed at bolstering protections and services for survivors.

• Senate Bill 5362 and House Bill 1487 – Sponsored by Sen. Dhingra and Rep. Lauren Davis, D-Shoreline, these bills aim to backfill the declining federal VOCA funding and provide a stable revenue source for victim services. SB 5362 is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. HB 1487 appears to be dead because it has yet to get a committee hearing
• House Bill 1620 – Introduced by Rep. Roger Goodman, D-Kirkland, this bill would establish clearer legal guidelines for parenting plans in cases involving domestic violence allegations. The bill has received a do pass recommendation and could come to a floor vote.
• House Bill 1484 – Sponsored by Rep. Osman Salahuddin, D-Redmond, this legislation ensures that rape survivors of all ages have equal legal protections if the crime results in pregnancy. The bill received a do pass recommendation from the House Community Safety Committee and could come to a floor vote.
• Senate Bill 5202 – Championed by Sen. Jesse Salomon, D-Shoreline, this measure enhances protections for survivors by fixing gaps in Washington’s protection order system, including firearm possession loopholes. The bill passed the Senate on a 36-13 vote with six republicans voting and all democrats voting in favor of the bill. It now goes to the House.

Real-time support for survivors

Rep. Davis also pushed for expanding the state’s domestic violence co-responder program, which pairs victim advocates with law enforcement during domestic violence calls. She cited the success of King County’s Project Be Free, where 85% of survivors successfully escaped abusive relationships with immediate support.

“We need to ensure real-time resources are provided to victims and impacted children, including a hotel to escape to, a safety plan, and follow-up resource navigation,” Davis said.

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A plea for action

The lawmakers underscored that without immediate intervention, survivors will lose access to essential services.

“If Washington does not act, it will shatter our already tattered safety net,” McIngels warned.

Sen. Dhingra closed the event with a firm commitment: “In this Washington, we don’t want our women to become a fatality statistic.”

With the legislative session underway, lawmakers are urging swift action to pass these bills and secure the $50 million necessary to sustain victim support services across the state.

Matt Markovich often covers the state legislature and public politics for KIRO Newsradio. You can read more of Matt’s stories here. Follow him on X, or email him here. 

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