Police Department

Seek Then Speak is a New Means for Victims to Access Services

Cpl. Teresa Fuller

Thursday, September 20, 2018 at 3:33 p.m.

The Spokane Police Department in conjunction Lutheran Community Services Northwest is announcing a new way for victims of sexual assault to access vital services. Through VictimLink, survivors can use the “Seek Then Speak” tool to learn about their options and navigate what can be difficult and emotional process on their terms.

Seek Then Speak, a new tool to support sexual assault victims, is now available as a free resource for Spokane. It is part of a new initiative brought to the community by the Spokane Police Department and Lutheran Community Services Northwest. Seek Then Speak helps sexual assault victims engage with local recovery and reporting resources. This helps survivors gather information, explore options, and take action when they’re ready. Victims and their support people can connect multiple ways; by web, phone, or mobile app.

• “We believe this platform will be useful for survivors to gain information, connect to resources and report assaults,” said Sgt. Glenn Bartlett with SPD’s Special Victim’s Unit. “With Seek Then Speak, advocates and law enforcement can employ a holistic approach to support, assist and provide guidance to survivors. This benefits the entire community.”

Seek Then Speak is also available in many languages to increase victim access. If they choose, victims can begin the process of reporting the crime directly to law enforcement and can request supportive services from victim advocacy. The program helps close gaps in service delivery and promotes justice and healing.

Seek Then Speak was developed to help end the silence for sexual assault victims. The program engages them with gradual, supportive dialogue prompts, using an intelligent communication platform. The process helps survivors better understand what happened and explore their options, while remaining anonymous until they choose to make direct contact with law enforcement or victim advocates.

Seek Then Speak works in partnership with an agency platform called Victim Link, which was co-developed by Ten8Tech and End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI). Victim Link combines technology and education to improve community responses to sexual assault. The programs also coordinate with Start by

Believing, the campaign that prepares friends and family members to respond appropriately to a sexual assault disclosure. Together, they offer a two-part solution for responding to sexual assault victims.

• “Seek Then Speak is an incredible tool that offers survivors the ability to regain power and control over their next steps. Healing is not linear, and survivors deserve the opportunity to move at their own pace when navigating their options, “ said Ligeia DeVleming, Director of Victim Advocacy & Education at Lutheran Community Services Northwest. “LCS Northwest is excited to offer this new resource for survivors in partnership with the Spokane Police Department and End Violence Against Women International.”

Seek Then Speak is available to anyone in Spokane by visiting www.SeekThenSpeak.org, calling 888-865-9863, or downloading the mobile app (Android and iOS).

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