Victims of sexual assault would gain increased protections

  • Friday, March 10, 2017 4:06pm
  • News

Legal protections would be available to more victims of sexual assault under legislation sponsored by Sen. Joe Fain, which passed the state Senate on Wednesday.

The plan allows courts to make the protection orders permanent, instead of the current maximum of two years and reduces burdens to renew existing orders.

“Current legal protections for victims of sexual assault do not reach as many people as they should,” said Fain, R-Auburn. “Protection orders are incredibly effective, especially in the absence of other legal charges, but obtaining them can be difficult. Reducing barriers to critical protections helps keeps more people safe.”

Sexual assault protection orders are available for victims of sexual assault who do not qualify for a domestic violence protection order. Once an order is in place the respondent is prohibited from contact with the victim and from certain places along with other relief determined by the court.

“This bill means that victims of sexual assault will have the same protection as other victims,” from Mary Ellen Stone, executive director of the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center. “It is a significant step forward and I greatly appreciate Senator Fain’s strong leadership.”

Protection orders are obtained through civil courts with testimony from the victim, but are limited to a maximum of two years. This can force a victim to relive the abuse in court every two years to keep protections in place. The legislation, which passed by a 43-6 margin, allows them to be permanent and brings sexual assault protection orders in-line with other orders including for domestic violence, stalking and harassment.

Violation of a protection order results in criminal charges against the attacker.

In 2015, state programs served approximately 13,000 victims of sexual assault, with roughly 5,000 in King County.

The bill now heads to the House of Representatives, which has approved a similar measure, and the two chambers are expected to work toward a final plan in the weeks ahead.




Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Photos from the United States Attorney's Office Western District of Washington press release.
Kent man arrested in connection to violent drug trafficking gang investigation

Law enforcement seized more than 20 kilograms of fentanyl, 60 firearms, and more than $130,000 in cash.

Courtesy Photo, King County
Son accused of fatally shooting mother’s boyfriend in Kent back in jail

Dondre Butler has 3 violations in 13 months of electronic home detention after charged with murder in 2022

t
Kent Police targeted street patrols result in arrest of two felons

One driver spotted in a vehicle with no plates; another driver reportedly in a stolen vehicle

t
Kent cold case murder suspect back in state after governor’s warrant | Update

Kenneth Kundert fought extradition from Arkansas after August arrest in 1980 killing of Dorothy Silzel

t
City of Kent eyes November opening for Reith Road roundabouts

Two more roundabouts will bring total in city to six; three more in future plans

t
Kent-based Puget Sound Fire honors this year’s 20 retirees

17 firefighters and 3 staff members retire; firefighters served between 24 and 35 years

t
Pedestrian dies in Kent after being struck by a vehicle | Update

Des Moines man, 61, identified; reportedly tried crossing highway late at night but wasn’t in a crosswalk

t
‘Drivers going too fast’ led to 45-vehicle collision in Kent on I-5

State Patrol says drivers need to ‘slow down;’ nobody seriously injured in Sunday afternoon incident

T
Sound Transit to feature glass art in Kent at Star Lake Station

Part of agency’s light rail art program at two stations in Kent and one in Federal Way

Emergency vehicles respond Oct. 21 to the State Route 18 crash in Maple Valley that killed a Kent baby. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
Federal Way man faces vehicular homicide charge in death of Kent baby

19-year-old also charged with vehicular assault for injuring boy’s mother in SR 18 crash

t
Kent mother arrested after reportedly driving drunk with baby in vehicle

22-month-old baby uninjured after witnesses report woman asleep at the wheel and blocking traffic

Puget Sound Fire, King County Medic One, and Washington State Patrol on location of the accident. Photo from Puget Sound Fire X account
Baby dies in crash on SR 18

Incident occurred at about 2:58 p.m. Oct. 21.