1911 - Resolution - Formation and Concept of the SAIVSRESOLUTION NO. 1911
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PORT ORCHARD, WASHINGTON,
SUPPORTING THE FORMATION AND CONCEPT OF THE SPECIAL
ASSAULT INVESTIGATION AND VICTIM SERVICES (S.A.I.V.S.)
WHEREAS, the following agencies are charged with or have assumed responsibility for
addressing the issues raised by sexual and domestic violence assault (referred to as special assault) in
Kitsap County: The police departments of the cities of Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, Port Orchard, and
Poulsbo; the police departments of the Suquamish and Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribes; the Kitsap County
Sheriffs office; the Kitsap County Prosecutor's office; the Kitsap County Clerk's office; the Naval Criminal
Investigative Service; the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services; the Kitsap Sexual
Assault Center; Harrison Hospital; and·the YMCA; and
WHEREAS, the agencies listed above have for a significant period of time worked together
to enhance their ability to serve victims of special assault; to arrest, punish and otherwise stop offenders who
commit special assaults; and to prevent special assaults in our community; and
WHEREAS, the agencies listed above have formed an association to further their
collaborative efforts to respond to special assaults and refer to their association as Kitsap SAIVS (Special
Assault Investigation and Victim Services); and
WHEREAS, there exist fundamental areas of agreement among the municipal and private
agencies that comprise Kitsap SAIVS; and
WHEREAS, the City of Port Orchard's (hereafter the city) acceptance of and commitment to
these areas of agreement, as evidenced by passage of this resolution, will facilitate the growth of Kitsap
SAlVS; and
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the city to create a reference point for our successors, a
rem1niler of what we nave done andOf what we agree must be dOne 1n the fUture 11 we are to adequately
serve the needs of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT ORCHARD,
WASHINGTON:
SECTION 1. The city recognizes the special character of domestic violence and sexual
assault. The majority of domestic violence and sexual assault transactions occur within families, between
intimate partners, or within a dating relationship. Moreover, they often involve children as victims, witnesses,
or both.
SECTION 2. The city further recognizes that because of the special character of domestic
violence and sexual assault, investigating these crimes and serving the needs of the victims requires
extraordinary effort, skill, and sensitivity.
SECTION 3 The city acknowledges that no one particular governmental or social service
agency has the expertise or resources necessary to adequately investigate incidents of domestic violence
and sexual assault in Kitsap County and at the same time meet all the needs of the victims and witnesses
affected by these special criminal transactions.
Resolution No. 1911
Page 2 of2
SECTION 4 The city recognizes that by cooperating to the fullest extent, up to and
including co-locating special assault se!Vice providers, the quality of investigations will be enhanced and
victims and witnesses will be better se!Ved and protected.
SECTION 5 The city also recognizes that its cooperation will enhance the opportunities
for fund raising, from public and private sources, to enhance the ability of Kitsap SAIVS to respond to
incidents of special assault.
SECTION 6 The city therefore agrees that:
(1) It will participate in the Kitsap SAIVS program to the greatest extent permitted by
law to ensure that incidents of domestic violence and sexual assault in Kitsap
County are fully investigated and prosecuted;
(2) It will work with Kitsap SAIVS to the fullest extent permitted by law to ensure that
the rights and interests of victims of and witness to domestic violence and sexual
assaults are respected and protected;
(3) It will work with Kitsap SAIVS to the fullest extent permitted by law to resolve the
conflicts that may arise among the participating agencies as they each seek to
discharge their separate responsibilities, guided by the overriding interest that
they all share in preventing further victimization;
(4) It will support Kitsap SAIVS to the fullest extent permitted by law in its efforts to
identify and obtain private or grant funding to enhance our collective ability to
investigate incidents of domestic violence and sexual assault in Kitsap County
and to meet the needs of the victims and witnesses of these special assaults.
(5) If any provision of this resolution or its application to any person or circumstance
is held invalid, the remainder of the resolution or the application of the provision to
other persons or circumstances in not affected.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Port Orchard, APPROVED by the Mayor and
"''""" by., Ci"k io '"·""""''" of'""' P="' 2~ 2000--="
LESLIE J. WEATHERILL, MAYOR
ATTEST:
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Michelle Merlino, Deputy City Clerk