Reports submitted to the Legislature on domestic violence reforms

The Legislature, in enacting E2SHB 1163, directed the Washington State Supreme Court Gender and Justice Commission to convene two work groups on domestic violence (DV) perpetrator treatment and domestic violence risk assessment. The work groups were required to submit reports to the Legislature by June 2018.

HB 1163 addresses gaps in Washington’s laws and policies regarding the serious problem of repeat domestic violence crimes. According to the Senate Bill Report, 54 percent of mass shootings in the U.S. are related to domestic violence; law enforcement officers are three times more likely to die responding to domestic violence calls than any other calls with shots fired; and progression of violence is prevalent among DV offenders.

Law enforcement officers are three times more likely to die responding to domestic violence calls than any other calls with shots fired.

The Domestic Violence Perpetrator Treatment Report recommends that the following changes be made:

1. Propagate evidence-based DV treatment statewide by creating a multilevel treatment environment which requires providers adhere to, and perpetrators meet, identified core competencies.
2. Designate DV Treatment as a Therapeutic Court function and deliver treatment via that model. The specific structure should be selected by the local jurisdiction. At a minimum, the following structural models are available: Multi-disciplinary Team; Probation/Supervision; and Calendar Review.
3. Ensure high-quality systemic information by enabling Therapeutic Courts to function in the system as a “statewide” information repository.
4. Monitor our system’s performance, focusing on continuous improvement, by enabling ongoing data collection, rigorous research, and future adaptation of our new Washington State DV treatment system towards the goal of a completely evidence-based system.
5. Create a reliable funding scheme for all court-ordered treatment.
6. Provide training and resources to professionals working in the area of DV. This training must necessarily include a culturally relevant focus.

The Domestic Violence Risk Assessment Report stressed that at all stages of intervention by law enforcement, advocates, and the courts, quality assessment tools must be affordable and accessible for local jurisdiction use. The report further emphasized that the Legislature must adequately fund data collection and monitor research over a period of years.