As National Domestic Violence Awareness month comes to a close, Washington has made an announcement that survivors of domestic violence are no longer required to disclose their address or current location on public records. The state now has an Address Confidentiality Program that helps domestic violence survivors keep their new address hidden by providing a substitute address. Awareness to this program comes as election day nears. This program allows survivors the ability to register to vote without putting themselves in potential danger by revealing their location. In fact, all of the mail under this program is routed to one address in Olympia, Washington, so the city the survivor is located in is not even revealed.

Domestic Violence in Washington

The definition of domestic violence, provided by the Washington State Department of Health, states: “Domestic violence is a pattern of assault and coercion, including physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, as well as economic coercion, that adults or adolescents use against their intimate partners.”

Reported Domestic Violence Offenses

In 2016, the Department of Health released an updated report on numbers of domestic violence offenses that were reported to the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. In 2014, there were 40,768 cases reported. That is the equivalent of 594 instances of domestic violence per 100,000 Washington residents. Rates of domestic violence in Washington vary by county as the data reflects where the domestic violence offense occurred and not where the victim or the perpetrator lives. For example, in Pend Oreille County there were more than 1,200 domestic violence offenses reported to every 100,000 Washington residents.

Gender, Age, Race, & Economic Factors

While Washington domestic violence offenses reported to law enforcement are not gender- or age-specific, a 2003 to 2012 national survey showed that women between the ages of 18 to 24 had the highest rates of domestic violence. In addition, women living in poverty or women living in lower-income households were at a higher risk of domestic violence.

In 2011, women from multiple ethnicities reported having ever experienced physical domestic violence. The report breakdown is as follows.

• 52% of American Indian or Alaska Native women reported having experienced physical abuse.
• 41% of black women reported having experienced physical abuse.
• 31% of white women reported having experienced physical abuse.
• 30% of Hispanic women reported having experienced physical abuse.
• 15% of Asian or Pacific Islander women reported having experienced physical abuse.

Contact King County Domestic Violence Defense Attorney

A domestic violence conviction can potentially lead to up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines. If you or a loved one have been arrested for any domestic violence charge, you need the help of an experienced and dedicated domestic violence defense attorney. Defense lawyer Steve Karimi can help you understand the criminal justice process. Mr. Karimi has been named a top-rated criminal defense attorney in the Seattle area. He is a former prosecutor who now uses his knowledge and insight into prosecution strategies to fight for the rights of those accused. Do not hesitate to contact the Law Offices of Steve Karimi today.