Lawmakers introduce bills to shield child survivors and 'defendant-survivors' from retraumatization in court

Lawmakers and advocates described multiple bills at a press conference in Olympia intended to reduce court-related retraumatization for survivors and to create pathways for people criminalized while being exploited.

Senator Tawanna Nobles, sponsor of Senate Bill 5169, said the measure "gives courts better tools to protect children while still holding violent offenders accountable," allowing children’s voices to be heard without forcing them to repeatedly relive trauma in intimidating court settings.

Representative Jamila Taylor said she and Representative Roger Goodman are prime cosponsors of House Bill 1591, which addresses "defendant-survivors" — people who have been exploited or coerced into criminalized activity. Taylor said the bill would recognize exploitation as a mitigating factor at sentencing, provide opportunities for resentencing and allow vacatur of convictions tied to exploitation.

Representative Roger Goodman and other backers said the measure follows models used in other states and aims to create pathways out of criminalized systems for survivors of trafficking and domestic exploitation. Representative Chris Stearns and other speakers also discussed companion or related reforms (identified in remarks as Senate Bill 6017 and a House companion) intended to create trauma-informed court procedures, including appointed counsel or a designated questioner for pro se defendants and explicit recognition of female genital mutilation as a form of assault.

Speakers said these bills are part of broader reforms intended to preserve victims' dignity while ensuring accountability for offenders; sponsors said they expect further work in committee and on the House and Senate floors.