Education, intervention and social support are keys to helping King County’s thousands of domestic violence and child abuse victims.  Nearly 12,000 domestic violence offenses are documented countywide each year, and although the victims are predominately women, domestic violence can affect any person, of any age and background. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. King County authorities also investigate nearly 10,000 reports of child abuse and neglect each year, with complaints ranging from malnutrition to battery and sexual assault. Children under age four are most at risk, and experts assume many more incidents go unreported. Domestic violence and child abuse cause injury, lost work and school days—even death—and are a leading cause of homelessness for women and children. Children and others who witness violence suffer a range of consequences, including trauma, poor physical and mental health, social difficulties and placement into the struggling foster care system. They are more likely to become substance abusers or violently abusive themselves. Curbing the abuse requires multiple approaches: educating individuals and communities, intervening as soon as abuse begins, providing safe places to stay and supporting strong social networks to draw out often isolated victims. Additional training can also help law enforcement officials, healthcare providers and social workers recognize and stop violence and abuse.
- Help people afford and plan for long-term care through information, education and advocacy.
- Expand adult day programs for seniors and disabled adults, which connect participants to their communities and give family caregivers a break.
- Promote recreational, fitness, educational and social activities for seniors and the disabled so they can remain healthy physically and mentally.
- Make assisted living and nursing home services better, safer and more culturally responsive.
- Support animal companionship, home retrofitting programs and other home-based support services to support independent living.
- Provide mentors, respite care and easy access to resources and support for family members who are caring for seniors or disabled family members at home.
- Abused Deaf Women's Advocacy Services provides services to deaf and deaf-blind victims of sexual assault and/or domestic violence, including transitional housing in apartments with adaptive equipment such as TTYs for telephone access, Braille signage, and flashing lights to warn of fire or a knock at the door.
- Parent Trust for Washington Children provides integrated support to families at risk for abuse and neglect, including parenting classes and 24-hour help lines in English and Spanish. The program reaches out to Latino and Filipino communities, as well as to new fathers and families affected by substance abuse.
- YWCA's Anita Vista program provides low-cost transitional housing and support toward self-sufficiency for victims of domestic violence and their children. Residents also receive classes, counseling, job help, and physical and mental healthcare, in addition to domestic violence education and advocacy services.
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