Under Sheriff Fortney’s leadership, he made it a priority to advocate for victims of domestic violence in Snohomish County. During the 2023 budget process, the Sheriff’s Office requested funding for Domestic Violence Coordinators, highly trained individuals who specialize in working with victims of domestic violence and understand the complexities of domestic violence as it relates to the victims, the abuser, law enforcement, prosecution and the judicial system. We are excited to share that our Domestic Violence Coordinators are officially here and working in our Sheriff’s Office precincts. Tune in to Podcast Episode 20 to meet two of our Domestic Violence Coordinators and learn more about how their work will support our community. The Sheriff’s Office Domestic Violence Coordinators will, in part: - support, educate and assist victims of domestic violence through the criminal justice proceedings; - provide victims with information on obtaining civil protection/no contact orders; - assist victims in completing the forms and documents required to obtain various protection/no contact orders; - assess domestic violence victims’ immediate needs (safe housing, income and other necessities); - help victims establish an immediate safety plan; - provide information and referrals to community resources specifically for victims of domestic violence; - provide victims with information regarding criminal justice proceedings and procedures, appear with victims at arraignments and all other court hearings (both criminal and civil); - educate victims about the benefits of pursuing prosecution through the legal system.
