WATSA is proud to continue the tradition of our annual joint meeting with KCSARC!
This event will be held in person at the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center.
Title: Restorative Justice is For Victims: Back to Our Roots
Description: A single episode of sexual violence can have life-long impacts, including multiple persistent problems throughout adulthood that create considerable burden for victims and society as a whole. Mary Ellen Stone, former CEO of KCSARC and Lucy Berliner, former Director of Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center (HATC) have dedicated their 40+year careers to advocating for and supporting victims of sexual violence. They know from thousands of victims they have had the privilege to stand with, that overwhelmingly survivors want those who perpetrate violence against them to acknowledge the harm they caused, take accountability for their actions and provide a genuine apology.
Unfortunately, the criminal justice system is often not restorative for victims. WATSA, SOTPs and victim therapists/advocates in Washington have an opportunity to provide a pathway or mechanism to ensure ALL victims have the opportunity to receive acknowledgement, accountability and an authentic apology when the person who harmed them is considered “treated” and “ready” to do so. While holding in the forefront what restorative justice means for victims, let’s engage in brainstorming and discussion about the possibilities for creating such a pathway for WA.
Bios:
Mary Ellen retired in the fall of 2023 after 43 years of leading the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center. She has laid essential foundations, establishing and strengthening the organization into what has become a respected, comprehensive provider of supportive services for survivors of sexual assault and their families. Her passion, tenacity and leadership have shaped KCSARC into the strong, vibrant nonprofit it is today.
Mary Ellen holds a master’s degree in counseling from the University of Minnesota. She is a program graduate of Leadership Tomorrow and the Alki Foundation. She presently serves on the Seattle Archdiocese Review Board. Past board responsibilities include the Mental Illness Drug Dependence Oversight Board and the 2018 Seattle Chief of Police Search Committee, Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs, Sex Offender Management Committee, Women's Funding Alliance, and Municipal League Seattle-King County.
Lucy Berliner, MSW, Director of Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center (HATC), retired at the end of February 2020. She began her career with Harborview as an intern and then social worker in 1973 and became the Director of HATC in 2000. She is seen as a local, national and international expert on the impact of trauma and the effectiveness of clinical and societal interventions and a leader in the field of sexual assault and trauma. She is also a clinical associate professor with the UW School of Social Work and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Her work included clinical practice with child and adult victims of trauma and crime; research on the impact of trauma and the effectiveness of clinical and societal interventions; and participation in local and national social policy initiatives to promote the interests of trauma and crime victims. Lucy is on the editorial boards of leading journals concerned with interpersonal violence, has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, and has served/serves on local and national boards, organizations, programs and professional societies.
This workshop will earn you 2 hours of Continuing Education.
WATSA is a Washington State DOH approved CE provider. CE Hours earned at this training count towards hours needed to renew your SOTP credential and/or your underlying health care license. We are not an approved provider for organizations such as the APA, NASW, AAFT or NBCC.
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