Sexual Assault Resources

What Is Sexual Assault?

Anytime someone is forced, coerced and/or manipulated into any unwanted or illegal sexual activity, it is a sexual assault.

Consent is defined in RCW 9A.44.010 as:

(2) "Consent" means that at the time of the act of sexual intercourse or sexual contact there are actual words or conduct indicating freely given agreement to have sexual intercourse or sexual contact.

 

Rights of Victims

Crime Victim Rights (RCW 7.69.030)

In Washington, it is a crime when someone hurts you physically, forces you to have sex or engage in unwanted sexual activity, threatens to hurt or kill you or your children, stalks or harasses you, or destroys your property. You have the right to be informed about what is happening with your case, to be present at court hearings, receive advocacy services and support at any case-related proceeding, and to request reimbursement for financial loss. 

Rights of Sexual Assault Survivors (RCW 70.125.110)

As a victim of sexual assault, you have additional legal rights to:

  • Free Medical Forensic Exam and additional services
  • Sexual Assault Kit information
  • Referral to advocacy services
  • Free copy of police report
  • Review statement prior to referral to a prosecutor
  • If a minor, you can request video testimony and additional safety considerations during court hearings

 

Support Services

KCSARC Advocates

24/7 resource line: (888) 998-6423
Main Office:
Monday - Friday
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Phone: 425.226.5062

King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC) offers a free, confidential, and comprehensive support to help you understand your options, referrals and resources. Know that you are not alone, and sexual assault is never your fault. KCSARC is here 24 hours a day to take your call, no matter when your assault took place.

KCSARC staff is required to report suspected or substantiated abuse of minors (anyone under the age of 18) to law enforcement. However, the 24-hour resource line will accept anonymous calls. You do not need to provide your name or other identifiers to get immediate support through their Resource Line.

Medical Resources

If you need mental health resources, please call 9-8-8.
If you need immediate law enforcement or medical response, please call 9-1-1. 

Medical treatment for injuries and sexual assault forensic exams are available, Click here for a list of exam locations in King County. All medical care is offered at no cost to victims of sexual assault and strangulation.

Know that:

  • You can consent to all or just part of a forensic exam — or choose just to treat your injuries without a forensic exam.
  • You can have the forensic exam even if you haven’t decided whether to report to police. The hospital must hold onto the evidence gathered from the exam in case you decide later to report your assault.
  • Sexual assault exams and related medical care are provided at no cost to the victim of assault. State law requires that Crime Victims Compensation cover the cost of the initial medical exam.
  • Evidence can be collected up to five days (120 hours) following an assault. You do not need to report your assault to law enforcement in order to have this exam.
  • In the case of a person under 18, medical providers are required to report known or suspected sexual abuse to Child Protective Services or law enforcement.

Evergreen Health

Sexual Assault and Strangulation medical exams.
Evergreen Health Medical Center: 425-899-1711 

Legal Resources

Civil Legal Services
Call: 844-991-7852
Email: legalline@svlawcenter.org

The Sexual Violence Law Center (SVLC) attorneys provide holistic, trauma-informed legal assistance to victims of sexual violence in a wide variety of legal matters, including protection orders, immigration, employment, public benefits, Title IX, housing, crime victim rights and more. Contact an attorney by calling, emailing, or filling out an Intake Form.

Washington Law Help

Washington Law Help is your public library for legal information in Washington State. Washington Law Help provides guides, do-it-yourself tools, and answers to commonly asked legal questions.

Community Resources (Food, Shelter, Legal, Immigration)

For a full list of resources, please visit the King County Domestic Violence, Stalking, Sexual Assault, and Human Trafficking Guide for Survivors, also accessible by scanning this QR code: 

King County Domestic Violence, Stalking, Sexual Assault, and Human Trafficking Guide for Survivors

Protection Order

Once you have decided that a Protection Order is right for your situation, you can petition for an order with King County. 

Report a Protection Order Violation

If you feel an immediate threat to your safety, call 911.

If you don’t feel an immediate threat to your safety and wish to report a No Contact Order or Protection Order violation that occurred within Kirkland City limits, please call the non-emergency police line at (425) 577-5656.

 

FAQs

What do I do after being sexually assaulted?

  1. Get yourself to a “safe” place where you will not feel in further danger. Call 911 if you remain in imminent danger or need immediate and urgent medical attention.

  2. Consider seeking medical help, ideally within 5 days. Whether you choose to report your assault or not, you can go to the hospital emergency department within five days of the assault to be checked out physically; the most important thing is to get some assurance from a doctor that you are physically well. Click here for a list of hospitals in King County that provide Sexual Assault Forensic Exams.

    When someone is sexually assaulted, the first instinct is to bathe/shower to wash away all memories of the rape. It is best for the sake of evidence collection to avoid bathing until after a forensic medical exam at your local hospital emergency room. If you have already bathed, there may still be evidence in your clothes that can be preserved.

  3. Consider reporting to law enforcement. For adults, reporting to the police is an individual choice. You can report right away, or it can be done later. Any evidence taken during a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam will be preserved, and you don’t have to decide right then and there whether to report.

     

What if this happened a while ago?

Everyone’s situation is different, and Sexual Assault Forensic Exams are preserved, so you can report at a later time. KCSARC can assist you in your decision about police reporting; give you accurate information from which to base your decisions; provide you with emotional support in the aftermath; provide counseling or community referrals.

KCSARC services are for anyone in King County, WA who has experienced sexual assault — whether recently or in the past — as well as those who are directly affected by the sexual assault of another.

What if this happened to someone I know

The KCSARC Resource Line is available for anyone in King County. Whether you have questions, need help or would like to help someone else, the Resource Line can provide you with specific information on available resources for yourself and/or someone you care about.

Kirkland Municipal Court Information

11740 NE 118th St, Kirkland, WA 98034
Hours:
Monday - Friday 
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Phone: (425) 587-3160
Fax: (425) 587-3161
Click here for more information

Attending a Hearing Virtually?

Please call or log in from your computer at least 10 minutes before the scheduled hearing and wait for court personnel to check you in. For court times, contact the court at the phone number above. 

Zoom Hearing by Video

  1. Go to: https://zoom.us/join
  2. Join the meeting by typing in the:
    • Meeting ID: 477 941 9397
    • Password: 174383

To appear by video, you will need to have an electronic device with internet connection. You may use a smart phone, iPad/tablet or computer with a microphone, speaker, and optional webcam. You will also need to install the free ZOOM App before the conference begins.

 

Zoom Hearing by Phone/Audio Only:

  1. Dial: 888-475-4499 or 877-853-5257 (US toll-free)
  2. Join the meeting by following the following voice prompts:
  • Meeting ID: 477 941 9397
  • Password: 174383

Tips:

  • You will be joined to the meeting in a muted mode.
  • To mute or unmute hit (star) *6
  • To raise a virtual hand, hit *9

 

Important Tips: 

  • When you join the virtual courtroom, you may be in a "waiting room" until the court clerk opens the meeting. Do not announce yourself, the clerk will obtain names of those in attendance.
  • There may be several cases set on the docket at the same time. If you are represented by an attorney, talk to your attorney before the hearing date to discuss your case. 
  • You should remain muted until your case is called to reduce background noise. When your case is called, unmute your device. The Judge will ask you to identify yourself, speak loudly and clearly. Follow directions from the Judge when it is your turn to speak.
  • Hearings will be recorded using the court recording system. You may leave the ZOOM virtual hearing after your case has been resolved. 

What is the criminal case process?

  1. Police report is written
  2. Case is reviewed by the Prosecutor
  3. Municipal Court arraignment - victim may attend but is not required to.
    • Arraignment takes place within 48 hours (if an arrest is made). If there was no arrest, the defendant will receive a summons in the mail to appear in court. 


      What happens at Arraignment? 
       

      • The defendant is told the charges they are facing
      • Bail and bond conditions are set by the Judge (such as a No Contact Order)
      • Defendant pleads guilty or not guilty
  4. Pre-Trial - victim may attend but is not required to.
    • The defendant may be offered a plea deal.
    • If the defendant takes the plea, the case moves to sentencing.
    • If the defendant does not take the plea, they may ask for a continuance (another pre-trial) or for a trial.
  5. Readiness Hearing - victim may attend but is not required to.
    • A hearing to determine if the case is ready to be set for trial. 
  6. Jury Trial - victim receives a court order to appear/testify.
    • The defense attorney and prosecutor present the case to a jury, who decide guilty or not guilty.
  7. Sentencing - victim may read an impact statement.