What is the Victim/Witness Notification Program?
If you have been the victim of, or witnessed a sexual assault or a violent crime, information about the location of the juvenile who committed this crime may be reassuring to you.
The Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) has a program to notify victims and witnesses when a juvenile who committed the crime is released, transferred or escapes from a juvenile facility.
Victim/Witness Notification is a confidential program. The person who victimized you will not know you are being notified and will not have access to your address or telephone number.
Victim/Witness Notification Program Eligible Offenses
- All class A Felonies
- Arson 1st and 2nd Degree
- Assault 1st and 2nd Degree
- Assault of a Child 1
- Assault of a Child 2
- Bail jumping (charged or adjudicated of Murder 1st Degree)
- Burglary 1
- Child Molestation 1st, 2nd and 3rd Degree
- Criminal Attempt, Solicitation or Conspiracy to Commit a Class A Felony or Sex Offense
- Communication with Minor for Immoral Purposes (if second sex offense)
- Dealing in Depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct
- Extortion 1st Degree
- Felony Stalking
- Homicide by Abuse
- Incest 1st and 2nd Degree
- Indecent Exposure (if second sex offense)
- Indecent Liberties (Forcible/non-Forcible)
- Kidnapping 1st and 2nd Degree
- Manslaughter 1st and 2nd Degree
- Murder 1st and 2nd Degree
- Patronizing Juvenile Prostitute
- Rape 1st, 2nd and 3rd Degree
- Rape of Child 1st, 2nd and 3rd Degree
- Robbery 1st and 2nd Degree
- Sending or Bringing into State Depiction of Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct
- Sexual Exploitation of a Minor
- Sexual Misconduct with a Minor in the 1st and 2nd Degree
- Sexually Violating Human Remains
- Statutory Rape 1st, 2nd and 3rd Degree
- Telephone Harassment (felony)
- Unlawful Imprisonment
- Vehicular Assault
- Vehicular Homicide
- Voyeurism
NOTE: In addition to the above offenses, any person specified in writing by the Prosecuting Attorney can participate in the program.
How do I qualify?
To qualify for the program, you must be a victim, next of kin, or the parent/guardian of a minor victim of a violent or sex offense.
You also may qualify if you have served as a witness in a criminal court proceeding or if a prosecuting attorney says in writing that you are eligible for the program.
You may remain in the program for as long as the person who committed the offense is under the supervision of DCYF. We will send you notices before a planned release or transfer. We will also attempt to call you as soon as possible following an escape. We will notify you of scheduled court hearings regarding release decisions, when appropriate.
How do I enroll?
To enroll in the Victim/Witness Notification Program, fill out the enrollment form.
How long will it be until I am enrolled?
You will be enrolled in the Victim/Witness Notification Program within two business days after you submit your request.
If you are concerned about an adult offender in prison in the Department of Corrections, you may be eligible for a similar program at that agency. For more information, contact the Department of Corrections, Victim/Witness Notification Program at 1-800-322-2201.