October is Domestic Violence Action Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Throughout the month of October victim advocates, allies, survivors of abuse, their loved ones, and the surrounding community have come together to raise awareness of domestic violence and its impact on individuals, families, and communities. It has been a time to connect, lift each other up, share resources, save space for each other, mourn lives lost, and celebrate progress towards ending domestic violence. 

Earlier this month, to honor and support survivors of domestic and sexual violence, we shared a blog that acknowledged the month and shared resources for survivors of abuse and violence. Resources include a 24/7 helpline, harm reduction, behavioral health supports, legal advocacy, support services and more.  

Everyone has a role in ending domestic violence and we can all contribute to building safe and resilient communities. Survivors and anyone experiencing abuse, you are not alone. Resources are available to support you.  

Domestic violence can affect anyone, at any time, and in any relationship. If you or someone you care about need help, DVHopeline (King County Domestic Violence Hotline) is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Call 206-737-0242 or 877-737-0242. You can also find 30+ additional, culturally specific, resources here.  

Highlighting Domestic Violence Programs Supported by King County 

The Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) funds a variety of programs to support survivors of domestic and sexual violence to improve safety, health, and stability. Below is a sampling of programs funded by the MIDD behavioral health fund and the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL).   

The MIDD behavioral health fund helps King County go beyond what’s available from state and federal sources like Medicaid to increase access to programs and supports that King County residents need for their behavioral health and wellness.  

The VSHSL funds community-centered programming to prevent all forms of gender-based violence and human trafficking, including but not limited to domestic violence, sexual assault, and commercial sexual exploitation. VSHSL investments aim to strengthen prevention programs, build community relationships, and tailor strategies geographically and throughout culturally diverse communities in King County.    

Domestic Violence-Specific Behavioral Health Services 

Funding from our local MIDD behavioral health fund supports the co-location of mental health professionals (MHPs) with expertise in domestic violence (DV) and substance use disorder (SUD) in community based DV advocacy programs throughout King County.  

The model decreases barriers and improves access to multiple services needed in one location, which enhances survivors’ sense of safety and community.  

Services available through MIDD for survivors regardless of ability to pay: 

  • Initial screening for domestic violence (DV) survivors to identify potential behavioral health issues. 
  • Behavioral health services including:  
    • Assessment to identify individual’s specific behavioral health needs and the types of interventions to address those needs.  
    • Culturally relevant, brief behavioral health therapy and support through group and/or individual sessions in an individual’s preferred language.  
    • Referrals to behavioral health treatment providers for individuals who need more intensive services.  
    • Consultation for DV advocacy staff and community behavioral health treatment agencies regarding the unique needs of DV survivors in providing behavioral health treatment and supports.  

MIDD-funded agencies providing behavioral health services to domestic violence survivors 

Domestic Abuse Women’s Network (DAWN) supports, empowers and shelters survivors of domestic abuse in South King County and helps keep us all safe by educating our community to respond to and prevent violence. DAWN protects women and children from domestic abuse, providing shelter, support and empowerment so they can build secure and happy lives.  

“With DAWN’s support I feel hopeful for my future and my child’s future.” – DAWN client, from DAWN’s 2019 Annual Report 

New Beginnings empowers survivors and mobilizes community awareness and action to end domestic violence.  

“Getting connected to an advocate and support groups at New Beginnings was the start of a new life for me.” Abigail, from New Beginnings’ website 

LifeWire supports survivors of domestic violence on their path toward safety, stability, and healing. They work to end domestic violence by changing community beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors.  

ReWA  provides services in over 40 languages for clients experiencing domestic violence and/or sexual assault. 

Domestic Violence and Behavioral Health System Coordination and Training 

King County DCHS also supports coordination between the providers and agencies who provide DV and sexual assault services throughout King County to make services better and more responsive to survivors with behavioral health concerns.  

The Coalition Ending Gender-based Violence (CEGV) is 40 diverse agencies and individuals united in efforts to end gender-based violence, grounded in a strong understanding of the issue, including the social and economic conditions in which women, LGBTQ people, people of color, people with disabilities, and children are especially vulnerable. 

With funding from the MIDD behavioral health fund and VSHSL, CEGV coordinates trainings and increased collaboration between providers, aligns policy development, and facilitates expert consultation between behavioral health treatment providers and agencies providing DV and sexual assault services throughout King County to provide better care for behavioral health challenges. 

A 24/7 domestic violence support hotline brings further resource coordination and a central access point to services for survivors 

According to the Centers for Disease Control, National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, on average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. A specialized domestic violence hotline is an important entry point, for many survivors, to a range of short-, medium-, and long-term supports, including but not limited to mobile advocacy, housing, legal assistance, and support groups. King County is home to a strong network of community-based domestic violence programs serving diverse geographic and cultural communities across the county, providing survivors with multiple avenues for accessing services best designed to meet their individual needs. However, King County lacked a way for survivors of domestic violence to seek support 24 hours a day. When addressing their needs, survivors needed well-trained and well-coordinated network of providers and supports that they could access at any time. 

In 2021, with funding from the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy, DVHopeline , a countywide, multi-lingual, multi-modal (e.g., voice, text, chat), 24-hour hotline launched to assist anyone impacted by domestic violence. DVHopeline, is a consolidated domestic violence hotline that provides countywide access to one central and confidential advocacy resource for people experiencing domestic violence. DVHopeline advocates are trained in working with people experiencing domestic and dating violence and serve as a connection and referral source for survivors of domestic violence across a broad range of geographic and cultural communities, providing connections to community-based advocacy, housing and shelter, legal resources, safety planning, support managing crisis situations, and help meeting immediate needs such as meals, diapers, and clothing. DVHopeline also offers support in finding ways to help individuals connect a friend or family member to resources.  

Between mid-2021 and September 2022, DVHopeline received 16,000 calls or texts and referred nearly 7,000 of those callers to additional support. 

The DVHopeline supports people experiencing domestic violence in regaining their safety, self-determination, health, and stability. By funding the creation and operation of a consolidated, 24-hour, multi-lingual, multi-modal domestic violence hotline, the VSHSL-funded program allows survivors in King County to establish initial contact with a service and support system in a time and manner that meets their unique safety, cultural, and linguistic needs. It also allows for conducting a coordinated, countywide outreach effort to reach survivors across a much broader range of geographic and cultural communities. 

Being There for Children Affected by Domestic Violence 

The Children’s Domestic Violence Response Team (CDVRT) provides behavioral health and advocacy services to children who have experienced DV, and support, advocacy and parent education to their non-violent parent. 

The CDVRT provides services to children ages 0 to 17 years old and their families who are experiencing domestic violence. Services include: 

  • Screening through a parent and child interview, as well as established standardized screening tools. 
  • Assessment, therapeutic interventions (using evidenced based practices such as CBT), service coordination, linkage to needed services and supports, advocacy, and supportive services. 
  • Development of a staff team which includes both children’s mental health specialists and children’s DV advocates and may include other team members identified by the child and family, including supportive family members, case workers, and teachers. 
  • Engagement through structured activities (e.g. “Meet and Greets”, monthly Family Dinners) designed to support children and families to learn about the program, develop skills and provide a safe space to share experiences with others in similar circumstances. 
  • Coordination of care with referring sources and across disciplines. 

“We have been working with a young mother who grew up, and still lives in, a family of origin where there is domestic violence.  The father of her child has abused her and other women.  She has no other supports outside of Sound and DAWN that encourage her that she is capable of making the best decisions for her and her child.  Her family encourages her to stay with this man despite her belief he is too dangerous. The MIDD funding allows Sound and DAWN to collaborate together, review options, and find resources. This client and her daughter continue to be in a difficult situation. Due to CDVRT they are not facing it alone—they have other voices to affirm what the mom knows is true. Through this process we hope the cycle of violence can be broken and the daughter can eventually grow up in a positive and safe environment.”  

Sound Case Manager

CDVRT services are provided by Sound in partnership with Domestic Abuse Women’s Network in South County.  For screening or information contact DAWN. 

A flexible and survivor-driven approach to domestic violence services that meets survivors where they are 

Mobile Advocacy, an evidence-based trauma-informed approach, provides specialized advocacy and outreach for survivors of gender-based violence by prioritizing the comfort and convenience of survivors. Survivors can meet with mobile advocates in the park while their kids play, at a coffee shop, or in their home; wherever they are most comfortable.  A type of mid- to long-term support (as opposed to a crisis-response), Mobile Advocacy, is designed to follow survivors across a wide range of needs from the moment they reach out for assistance to improve their safety, health, and stability. 

A unique aspect of Mobile Advocacy is its flexibility and survivor-driven approach. Survivors are empowered to lead the process, choose their own goals, and define what is most safe for them. People experiencing domestic and sexual violence are best served by advocates who are trained in and familiar with providing the most current and effective practices and resources.  

The VSHSL funds community partners throughout King County such as The Dove Project and The Somali Family Safety Task Force to work in partnership with survivors to robustly support survivors to rebuild control over their lives, supports can include: 

  • emotional support 
  • safety planning 
  • flexible financial assistance  
  • individual case advocacy 
  • information and advocacy regarding public benefits, legal issues, medical care, mental health services, financial planning, employment services 
  • accompanying survivors to housing, employment and child welfare appointments. 

Recognizing that COVID-19 conditions made it more difficult for survivors to reach out for help and increased the need for services, King County allocated $727,448 unspent and uncommitted dollars to further support Mobile Advocacy in 2022. Providers funded with these additional dollars bring a unique geographic and culturally specific lens to fill existing service gaps affecting Black, Native, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Together, all Mobile Advocacy partners supported more than 900 survivors in 2022.   

For example, the Somali Family Safety Task Force, a VSHSL Mobile Advocacy partner, serves immigrants and refugee women who are survivors of partner violence. Their clients face various hurdles due to racism and prejudice against people from other countries. The language barrier can also be a big obstacle. To overcome structural inequities, the Somali Family Safety Task Force has partnered with other organizations in hopes that together they can assist more clients in achieving their goals and regaining their autonomy. To alleviate language challenges, they provide interpretation and translation so clients can make their own informed decisions regarding their care and options. 

The DOVE Project is a domestic violence and sexual assault agency that provides survivor services, prevention education, and community programming to reduce interpersonal harm. DOVE serves all survivors of domestic violence to support them, help them maintain safety for their families, identify goals, and help them achieve those goals. Located on Vashon Island, a rural community, The DOVE Project recognizes the importance of meeting survivors where they are and removing barriers to services by, “meeting them in someplace that feels better.” The VSHSL mobile advocacy funding assists The DOVE project in continuing to build capacity to meet Vashon Island’s demands for services.