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Gender-Based Violence and Prevention Division - Prosecuting Attorney's Office

Learn more about the area of our Criminal Division including the Sexually Violent Predator Unit, Special Assault Unit, and Crime Strategies Unit.

Sexually Violent Predator Unit

The Sexually Violent Predator Unit prosecutes civil commitments under RCW 71.09. In addition to handling initial commitment trials, the unit handles all appeals, annual reviews, and conditional release trials associated with the commitment. The unit has developed a national reputation in the civil commitment of sexually violent predators and has been in the forefront of defending such commitment laws against constitutional challenge.

Special Assault Unit

The King County Prosecutor's Office prides itself for creating one of the first specialized units in the country to deal exclusively with cases involving the sexual and physical abuse of children, as well as sexual offenses against adults. Specially trained prosecutors, who are uniquely qualified to deal with the complex and sensitive nature of these cases, staff the Special Assault Unit at both the downtown courthouse and the Maleng Regional Justice Center. A highly skilled forensic interviewer is available at both sites to assist law enforcement with interviewing children. The interview specialist, having received a Masters in Social Work, employs research-based interview techniques designed to achieve accuracy and objectivity. Since its creation, the King County Prosecutor's Office Special Assault Unit has worked collaboratively with law enforcement, Child Protective Services, and local advocacy groups. In 2000, the King County Special Assault Network Protocol, which provides guidance and structure for investigators of sexual assault, became the model for state-mandated protocols.

Seattle

Phone: 206-477-3742

Kent MRJC

Phone: 206-205-7411

Crime Strategies Unit

The Crime Strategies Unit (CSU) serves as a centralized hub for the collection and sharing of illegal shooting data throughout the County. While firearm homicides are generally known and tracked, nonfatal shootings and shootings not resulting in injury have not historically been tracked in a uniform manner. Not every agency routinely collects this data, and those that do have different definitions, coding mechanisms, and records management systems. As a result, the collection, cleaning, and standardization of this data by the CSU crime analyst is incredibly time and labor intensive. In the context of illegal shootings, a public health approach addresses the questions:

  • Who is being shot?
  • Why are they being shot?
  • How can we prevent future shootings?

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