How to Get Help for Domestic Violence (10/15/20)

“Stay home, stay safe, stay healthy is good advice for most of us, but for some members of our community home is not a safe place. Domestic violence abusers often use isolation as a weapon, to keep their victims away from help. We want you to know that help is still available and that no one should have to endure domestic violence during this time.” — King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg

As of October 15, there have been 16 domestic violence (DV) homicide deaths in King County. All but one of those homicides happened during the pandemic.

By comparison, in both 2019 and 2018 there were only seven domestic violence homicides across King County each year.

And in total, there have been 31 violent King County deaths linked to domestic violence in 2020. That includes murder-suicides, other homicides perpetrated by convicted DV offenders, and two officer-involved shootings of DV suspects.

October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is reminding King County residents that a variety of resources exist to help survivors of domestic violence — including during the pandemic.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

“I think it’s really important that people know there’s support and there’s resources to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out and call either the hotline or our office for information.” — Colleen McIngalls, Director of Victim Services, King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1–800–799–7233

TTY: 1–800–787–3224

VIDEOPHONE: 1–855–812–1001

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1–800–656–4673

https://www.rainn.org/about-national-sexual-assault-telephone-hotline

KC Prosecuting Attorney’s Office Domestic Violence Unit: 206–477–3742

In March, our office put in place an electronic alternative for people seeking an emergency protection order against a domestic abuser. This innovation — the first of its kind in Washington state — is something we’d been working on for months, and we moved up our launch date to immediately help people during the coronavirus pandemic.

Our services are now 100 percent telephonic, so survivors can work with advocates remotely, and between March and July there were nearly 1,000 instances where someone used the online petition form.

Find out more about remote protection orders and access the form HERE.

Find additional resources for how you or someone you love can get help immediately: https://www.kingcounty.gov/how-do-i/domestic-violence.aspx