Myths and misconceptions about sexual assault persist in our society and contribute to a culture of victim blaming and silencing. Those impacted can be left feeling confused, alone, and in search of a better understanding of what they experienced. No matter how you refer to your experience, whether it fits a particular definition, or whether you choose to identify as a victim or survivor, you deserve support and care.

Generally, sexual assault refers to non-consensual sexual acts or behavior that is unwanted and/or illegal. For example:

• Unwanted sexual touching over or under clothing
• Forcing a victim to perform sexual acts
• Rape (penetration of any part of a person’s body, however slight)
• Attempted rape

Perpetrators do not always use physical force; they may use threats, manipulation, emotional or psychological coercion, drugs, or alcohol. In most cases, perpetrators are known to victims, not strangers.

Sexual abuse is a term often used to describe sexual assault of a person incapable of consent (e.g., a child or vulnerable adult) and can be part of an ongoing pattern of non-consensual acts or exploitation, often occurring over time. Importantly, assault and abuse are never the victim’s fault.

You do not have to report an assault to law enforcement, or even be certain that what happened was an assault, to access free and confidential support services from a trauma-informed advocate in Washington state.* If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

*Washington law protects the confidentiality of communications and records between advocates and their clients however, advocates are required to notify law enforcement and/or the Washington Department of Children Youth and Families when they learn about sexual assault or abuse of minors (anyone under the age of 18) or vulnerable adults, as required by state mandatory reporting laws.

Seek then Speak is a sexual assault reporting tool and resource hub developed and maintained by End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI), available nationwide. SEEK provides anyone impacted by sexual assault with a way to privately gather information and explore options for medical care, supportive services, and reporting to police. 

SPEAK facilitates a detailed, self-guided questionnaire to document what happened and is intended for victims and survivors aged 18 and above. Survivors can choose to save the PDF for reference later or email it to the law enforcement agency where the assault happened to initiate a formal report. For privacy, data is cleared after the PDF has been created. The Seek then Speak website can be accessed at seekthenspeak.app.

How do I submit a Seek then Speak report to law enforcement?

Seek then Speak reports should be submitted to the law enforcement agency where the assault happened (e.g., in the city of Yakima, to Yakima Police Department). Some law enforcement agencies in Washington are proactively encouraging survivors to utilize the Seek then Speak tool to report sexual assault and have provided an email address where reports can be submitted. However, other law enforcement agencies may not know about Seek then Speak and you may need to explain it. 

To find out if a law enforcement agency has adopted Seek then Speak, or is directing reports to a specific email address, please refer to the list below. If your agency is not listed or you’re unsure, contact an advocate at a local sexual assault program for advice on how to submit a report. We expect this list to grow as more agencies implement Seek then Speak.

• Pullman Police Department
  Accepting Seek then Speak reports at: Online Reporting (web portal)
  Website: Reporting a Sexual Assault | Pullman, WA
  
• Seattle Police Department
  Send Seek then Speak reports to: seekthenspeak@seattle.gov 
  Website: https://seekthenspeakseattle.com/
• Spokane Police Department
  Send Seek then Speak reports to: eraspdrde@spokanepolice.org
  Website: https://my.spokanecity.org/police/investigations/special-victims/‍
• Washington State University Police Department
  Send Seek then Speak reports to: police@wsu.edu 
  Website: Reporting a Sexual Assault | WSU POLICE
• Yakima Police Department
  Send Seek then Speak reports to: seekthenspeak@yakimawa.gov
  ‍Website: https://yakimapolice.org/

Free emergency medical care following sexual assault

If the assault was recent, it’s important to consider seeking medical care as soon as possible to identify and treat potential injuries (even if they are not visible), to receive medications to reduce the risk of pregnancy and/or sexually transmitted infections (including HIV), and to preserve any forensic evidence. If you’ve experienced sexual assault in Washington state, you have the right to receive a free medical forensic exam (a process to provide important medical care, gather possible DNA, and document other evidence, typically done within 5 days of an assault).

You are not required to report to law enforcement to receive the free exam.* You may decline any part of the exam, including evidence collection, and are in control of what happens. Additionally, advocates in some communities are available to provide support throughout the exam and can help you navigate next steps.

Visit wasafe.org to find a forensic exam provider.

*Medical professionals are required to notify law enforcement and/or the Washington Department of Children Youth and Families when they learn about sexual assault or abuse of anyone under the age of 18 or considered a vulnerable adult, as required by state mandatory reporting laws.  

Drug and/or alcohol-facilitated sexual assault

Drug or alcohol-facilitated sexual assault occurs when drugs or alcohol (or both) are used to compromise an individual’s ability to consent to sexual activity, regardless of whether substances were consumed voluntarily or involuntarily. If you experienced a drug or alcohol-facilitated sexual assault, or are not sure what may have happened, go to a hospital immediately. Drugs leave the body very quickly, often within the first few urine samples. A medical professional can take a urine sample, and possibly blood, to submit to the state toxicology lab for testing. If possible, save any other materials that may contain evidence of any drugs, such as the glass that held your drink.

Preserving evidence after an incident

Once you are in a safe location, preserve as much evidence of the assault as you’re able including clothing and any bedding. If possible, avoid showering, bathing, washing your hands, using the toilet, eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth before a medical evaluation. If you have done so already, that’s ok. It’s possible to collect and document evidence as part of a medical evaluation up to 5 days after an assault (potentially longer in some cases). When you’re able, record any details you can recall about the assault and perpetrator. Keep in mind, it’s never too late to receive support following an assault. Free and confidential advocates are available no matter how much time has passed.

Community-based advocates are trained professionals who provide free and confidential support and advocacy services to survivors and their loved ones.* The core responsibility of an advocate is to meet any person or family impacted by sexual assault where they are and support them in their healing process, however that looks for them.

Advocates at community-based sexual assault programs across Washington often provide these, and other, services:

• Information, options, and resources.
• Help applying for Crime Victim’s Compensation.  
  
• Support and coping strategies.
• Crisis intervention and safety planning.
• Connection to counseling or therapeutic services.
• Accompaniment to medical or legal appointments and support through court proceedings.
• Help filing for a protection order.

To find an advocate in your community search by city or county here: Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs. Child Advocacy Centers offer specialized physical and mental health services for abused children and their families. Find a local Child Advocacy Center here: Childen's Advocacy Centers of Washington.

*Washington law protects the confidentiality of communications and records between advocates and their clients however, advocates are required to notify law enforcement and/or the Washington Department of Children Youth and Families when they learn about sexual assault or abuse of minors (anyone under the age of 18) or vulnerable adults, as required by state mandatory reporting laws.

As you review this information, no matter how much time has passed, it is important to remember it’s never too late to receive support regardless of whether you choose to report or not. Free and confidential advocates serve every county in Washington and are available to discuss concerns, connect you to resources, go over your rights and options, provide support and coping strategies, accompany you to medical or legal appointments, and support you in the reporting process if you choose to move forward in that way. Many sexual assault programs in Washington offer 24/7 hotlines. Find support here: Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs.

Calling 911

Call 9-1-1 if you are in immediate danger or to make an initial report. If you are not in immediate danger you can say, “It is not an emergency, but I want to report a sexual assault…”

Seek then Speak

If you are 18 or older and in a safe location, you can learn about and begin the reporting process on your own or with the support of a trusted person by visiting seekthenspeak.app. The SPEAK section of the website is a self-guided interview where you can share as much or as little information as you feel comfortable. When you finish, it creates a downloadable PDF which you can choose to save for your own reference or email to the law enforcement agency where the assault happened. For your privacy, all data is deleted from the Seek then Speak site upon exiting.

How do I submit a Seek then Speak report to law enforcement?

Seek then Speak reports should be submitted to the law enforcement agency where the assault happened (e.g., in the city of Yakima, to Yakima Police Department). Some law enforcement agencies in Washington are proactively encouraging survivors to utilize the Seek then Speak tool to report sexual assault and have provided an email address where reports can be submitted. However, other law enforcement agencies may not know about Seek then Speak and you may need to explain it.

To find out if a law enforcement agency has adopted Seek then Speak, or is directing reports to a specific email address, please refer to the list below. If your agency is not listed or you’re unsure, contact an advocate at a local sexual assault program for advice on how to submit a report. We expect this list to grow as more agencies implement Seek then Speak. 

• Pullman Police Department
  Accepting Seek then Speak reports at: Online Reporting (web portal)
  Website: Reporting a Sexual Assault | Pullman, WA
  
• Seattle Police Department
  Send Seek then Speak reports to: seekthenspeak@seattle.gov 
  Website: https://seekthenspeakseattle.com/
• Spokane Police Department
  Send Seek then Speak reports to: eraspdrde@spokanepolice.org
  Website: https://my.spokanecity.org/police/investigations/special-victims/‍
• Washington State University Police Department
  Send Seek then Speak reports to: police@wsu.edu 
  Website: Reporting a Sexual Assault | WSU POLICE
• Yakima Police Department
  Send Seek then Speak reports to: seekthenspeak@yakimawa.gov
  ‍Website: https://yakimapolice.org/

After you submit a report, an officer may reach out or ask to meet with you. If you choose to fill out a Seek then Speak report, you may want to bring a copy. Keep in mind not all officers know about the program, and you may need to explain it. Please note: If you provide a Seek then Speak report to police, either in person or by email, it will become part of the official police record and eventually their public record. That means police and prosecutors will be able to read it, and if the case ever goes to court, so will the defense attorney and the judge. It also means you or a member of the community may request a copy of the record that will have names and other identifying information removed for privacy. That won’t happen right away, but it’s important to understand.
Reporting and the Criminal Justice System (RAINN)

If the assault was recent, it’s important to consider seeking medical care as soon as possible to identify and treat potential injuries (even if they are not visible), receive treatment for sexually transmitted infections and/or pregnancy, as well as preserve any forensic evidence. If you’ve experienced sexual assault in Washington state, you have the right to receive a free forensic exam (a process to gather possible DNA, document other evidence, and provide care, typically done within 5 days of an assault). You are not required to report to law enforcement to receive the free exam.* You may decline any part of the exam, including evidence collection, and are in control of what happens. Additionally, advocates in some communities are available to provide support throughout the exam and can help you navigate next steps. Visit wasafe.org to find a forensic exam provider.

Learn more about a forensic exam in Washington state (Harborview Abuse & Trauma Center)

*Medical professionals are required to notify law enforcement and/or the Washington Department of Children Youth and Families when they learn about sexual assault or abuse of anyone under the age of 18 or considered a vulnerable adult, as required by state mandatory reporting laws.  

Victims and survivors of sexual assault may be eligible for financial assistance through Washington’s Crime Victim’s Compensation Program (CVCP). Reach out to a free and confidential advocate in your community for help applying, visit Washington’s CVCP website, or call 1-800-762-3716 for more information.

Sexual Violence Law Center is a Washington-based legal aid organization working statewide to provide holistic, trauma-informed legal assistance to victims of sexual violence on a variety of legal matters including, but not limited to:

• Protection orders
• Immigration
• Employment
• Public benefits
• Title IX
• Housing
• Crime Victim Rights
  

For assistance, call Sexual Violence Law Center’s Legal Line at 844-991-7852 or email legalline@svlawcenter.org.

Additionally, Washington Law Help offers a guide to free civil legal services for low-income persons and seniors in Washington, including protection from abuse, family law, housing, and immigration.

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Washington law and the Washington state constitution provide basic and fundamental rights to sexual assault victims and witnesses related to medical care, advocacy services, court proceedings, and reporting to law enforcement. The Washington Attorney General’s Office developed a fact sheet, available in the following languages, outlining rights and resources for adult and child survivors in Washington:

English, Spanish, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese [simplified], Chinese [traditional], German, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Marshallese, Punjabi, Russian, Samoan, Somali, Tagalog, Ukrainian, Vietnamese

It can be hard to know what to say to someone who discloses sexual abuse or assault but it’s important to remember that it is often very difficult for a victim or survivor to talk about what happened to them and telling a trusted person can be an important step in their healing and recovery process. How you respond matters. Below are some tips for interacting with adult survivors. For children, it’s recommended to seek support from a specialized provider at a local Child Advocacy Center.

How you can help:

• Tell the person you believe them and are taking their disclosure seriously. Listen to what they have to say but don’t press them for details.
• Be supportive and non-judgmental, ask what you can do to help. Do not assume you know what is best for them and do not make decisions for them.
• Validate their emotions even if you do not understand them. Trauma impacts all people differently and can present in a range of emotions.
• Remind the person it was not their fault.
• Let them know there is free and confidential support available, if they are interested and when they are ready. Advocates throughout Washington can provide experienced support through a trauma-informed lens. Search by city here: Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs.‍
• Offer to accompany them to appointments. But don’t pressure them to engage in activities they aren’t ready to do yet. Let them know help is available when they’re ready.

What to avoid when someone you know has experienced sexual assault:

• Giving unsolicited advice or taking control of the situation. Sexual assault is the ultimate loss of control, allow your loved one to have control over what happens to them next.
• Sharing what you would have done in the situation.
• Putting pressure on them to engage in activities they aren’t ready to do yet. Recovering from trauma takes time.  
  

How to Respond to a Disclosure of Abuse Handout (King County Sexual Assault Resource Center)

Tips for Talking with Survivors of Sexual Assault (RAINN)

If you are a provider (e.g., advocate, law enforcement, medical professional) interested in learning more about how your agency can implement or utilize Seek then Speak, please refer to the following:

• Seek then Speak Implementation FAQ (EVAWI)
• Seek then Speak implementation tools and resources (EVAWI)
• For technical support while using Seek Then Speak, or to provide feedback on the tool (seekthenspeak.app) please submit a support ticket to Victims Voice The App.
• To request an informational presentation on Seek then Speak or for questions about this website (seekthenspeakwa.com) contact the Washington Attorney General’s office at seekthenspeak@atg.wa.gov.

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