Manion on Crime Victims’ Rights Week: “Government Must Make Crime Survivors a Priority”

During National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (April 6–12), King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion is renewing her call for lawmakers at all levels of government to make crime survivors a priority. To help raise awareness about the experience of crime survivors, Manion is sharing new statistics about the experience of King County crime survivors in 2024.

“The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is fighting for crime survivors in the courtroom and to any lawmaker who will listen,” said King County Prosecuting Leesa Manion. “Crime survivors have too often been forgotten; it is up to all of us, at all levels of government and in community, to make crime survivors a priority.”

Federal funding for crime survivor services has seen a 90% decrease since FY 2017. These resources — as provided for by the federal Victims of Crime Act — fund critical services for crime victims such as mobile protection order advocacy, emergency housing options, crisis lines, and access to civil legal aid. Absent action from United States Congress, the financial burden will fall to Washington state taxpayers to address this funding gap and that could create a dramatic resource drop that disrupts the critical work.

Earlier this year, Manion testified in support of SB 5362, which would sustain resources for crime survivor services over the long term. With SB 5362 stalled in the State Legislature, our team has continued to fight for necessary funding for crime survivor services in the state budget. Video and audio of Manion’s testimony is available here.

KING COUNTY CRIME VICTIMS IN 2024

In 2024, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, which handles the most serious crimes that occur in King County, filed 5,070 adult felony cases. Each crime represents or more victims. Here’s a breakdown of some of the major adult felony crime categories filed by our office 2024:

• Gender-Based Violence (Commercial sexual exploitation, domestic violence, and sexual assault: 1,442 cases
• Murder & Homicide: 109 cases
• Property Crimes (Burglary, Economic/Property, and Vehicle Theft): 1,641 cases
• Other Violent Crimes (e.g. Assault): 1,261

Demographic Information

Last year, a majority of crime victims (where gender was identified) were women (2,043) compared to men (1,773). Roughly half of crime victims (where race was identified) were people of color (31.06%) and half were white (32.98%). A majority of crime victims were between 25–35 years old.

At the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, we work daily to support crime survivors as they navigate the legal system. Our Victim Advocates work each day to help crime survivors understand the complexities of the criminal justice system, their rights as a victim, and the resources that might be able to address the adverse impacts of victimization. Our Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys and Legal Service Professionals fight for justice on behalf of victims in court, and our entire team works diligently to enforce victim rights.

Last year, Manion successfully backed legislation to strengthen the rights of crime victims such as ensuring victims’ right to virtual hearings, and other policies that expand access to protection orders. Both of these bills were passed by the legislature during the 2024 legislative session.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week has been celebrated every year in April since 1981. The week is dedicated to learning about victimization and the effect victimization has on individuals, families, friends and the community. It also serves to promote laws, policies and programs that help victims of crime. Every year, thousands of communities across the nation observe the week by reaffirming their commitment to victims having the rights, resources and services they need to recover from crime.