Washington begins statewide survey on survivors’ needs

The Office of Crime Victims Advocacy (OCVA) at the Washington State Department of Commerce launched the Compass Initiative, a statewide survey to learn what survivors need.

Share your experience

If you, your family or someone in your community has experienced hurt, harm or crime, OCVA wants to hear from you. Your answers will help Washington decide how to invest in services for survivors.

OCVA’s Compass Initiative survey takes about 20 minutes to complete. It is open to all people in Washington over 18 years old. The survey, which launched in July, will help us better understand what victim services you knew about, which services you used and what made it hard to get support.

Your privacy matters

The survey is confidential and voluntary. It does not ask for identifying information. Every question includes “prefer not to answer.” The names of people, places or organizations mentioned in your answers will not appear in any report.

What is considered hurt, harm or crime?

For the purposes of this survey, hurt, harm and crime includes but is not limited to:

  • Abuse, neglect or financial exploitation as an adult
  • Abuse, neglect or harm that happened to you as a child
  • Abuse within a system or institution (such as foster care, detention, religious organization, healthcare, school)
  • Harm or threats because of who you are (such as your race, religion, identity or disability)
  • Harm from a partner, spouse or someone you lived with
  • Being forced, tricked or pressured into work or sexual activity for someone else’s benefit
  • A property crime that caused significant harm or disruption
  • Any unwanted sexual experience — including comments, harassment, unwanted contact, assault or abuse
  • Physical attack or assault
  • Stalking, harassment or unwanted monitoring — including online
  • Mistreatment or misconduct by police or law enforcement

Who is conducting the survey?

After a competitive process, OCVA contracted with 18 Stones Strategy LLC, an independent research firm, to conduct the assessment (Contract No. 26-31501-001). The Washington State Institutional Review Board has reviewed the study.

Questions?

Email OCVA or the 18 Stones Strategy research team.