Compassion For Victims Who Become Convicts: Vacating Felony Convictions [Video]

Senate Bill 5180 would allow for vacating certain class B and class C felony convictions for people who provide an affidavit, proving by a preponderance of evidence, that their offense was committed as a result of being a victim of sex trafficking, prostitution, or commercial sex abuse of a minor; domestic violence; or sexual assault. The bill’s prime sponsor is Senator Manka Dhingra (45th District – Redmond).

Washington Initiative for Boys and Men supports laws and policies that help people who have served prison sentences move on with their lives after they are released.

Let us make sure we extend compassion and empathy, regardless of gender, toward people who are victimized and later go on to commit crimes. And let us affirm that trauma that boys and men experience is as worthy of consideration as trauma that girls and women experience.