Take Action Against Domestic Violence Awards

We are soliciting nominations for individuals, groups, businesses or organizations that have taken outstanding action to help end violence in intimate relationships. Six award winners will be chosen in three categories and all nominees will be honored at our annual "Take Action Against Domestic Violence" awards reception in October.

Click here to nominate someone you know!

About the Take Action Campaign:
Most people know that domestic violence is a major problem in our communities, but they may not know that everyone can help end it. The Take Action campaign highlights concrete, everyday examples of what each of us can do to stop violence. The Take Action Awards honor 4 individuals or groups who have done something to raise awareness about domestic violence, to help those dealing with it, or to help find solutions to the problem. In addition, we created two categories to honor professionals who take action to end domestic violence. The Ginny NiCarthy Excellence in Advocacy award for domestic violence advocates, and The Norm Maleng Public Policy and Systems Change award for public officials or professionals in the public sector who have worked to change systems or policies dealing with domestic violence.

Who Qualifies for Nomination of a Take Action Award:
To qualify, nominees may either be residents of King County, WA or have acted against domestic violence within King County. Nominees may be individuals or groups working alone or within neighborhood, community or faith organizations, workplaces, through their schools, or through other avenues. We wish to recognize extraordinary actions of ordinary community members.

For example, you might nominate:

• A teenager who provides peer support about dating violence at school
• A child who called for help for a family member who was hurt
• A club or business in your neighborhood that has donated goods, services, or volunteer support to domestic violence survivors and/or agencies
• A local community group that organized a domestic violence educational event
• Your employer or a business you know that has developed effective employee training or workplace policies to support domestic violence survivors
• A church, temple, or synagogue that distributes brochures about domestic violence to its congregation
• Religious leaders who include messages against domestic violence in their speeches, sermons, or other presentations

These are just suggestions. Whether small actions like taking brochures to your local market, or large actions like organizing a fundraiser, all actions make a difference. If you know someone who is making a difference, nominate them! We want to hear about it!

How Winners are Chosen:
Some of our criteria for choosing winners include: Did the nominee step outside of their comfort zone to take the action? What kind of resources did the action require in proportion to who the nominee is i.e. time, personal effort, money, people, organizing efforts (specific budgets aren't necessary)? Was the action unique? How did the action help and/or who did it help? Could someone else look at the action and think, "Hey, I can do that too!"? In addition, award recipients will need to reflect a balance of geographic regions from around King County, a balance of nominators from DV agencies and the community, and diverse cultural communities.

Click here to nominate someone you know today!

Who Qualifies for Nomination of a Ginny NiCarthy Award:
All advocates, past or present, paid or unpaid, who have served victims and/or survivors of domestic violence both directly and indirectly within the King County region, and have advocated on behalf of survivors in the larger community.

For example, you might nominate:

• An advocate who has dedicated most of her/his career to the domestic violence field.
• Someone who volunteers for a domestic violence agency who goes well above and beyond the call of duty consistently to help survivors
• A dedicated board member of a domestic violence agency
• A systems-based advocate who is extremely dedicated and exceeds expectations to help survivors navigate the court system.

You may know of someone who is outside of these suggestions and we welcome your nomination.

How Winners are Chosen:
Determination of the award will be based on an exceptional contribution to victims/survivors of domestic violence and to the domestic violence community as a whole. The award will go to a person who demonstrates the qualities that Ginny NiCarthy has brought to the domestic violence movement, such as: a dedication to ending domestic violence, a passion for justice and equality, leadership, innovation and initiative, mentoring others, a continuing desire to learn and grow, and the motivation to take action against oppression and injustice.

The overarching criterion in the selection process is the nominee's exhibition of the above qualities. The quantity of work or length of service may serve as a factor when appropriate, but the emphasis will be on quality; therefore, the Committee will look for evidence of dedication, passion, and leadership as guiding principles.

Click here to nominate someone you know today!

Who Qualifies for Nomination of a Norm Maleng Award:
Public officials or those working in the public sector, paid or unpaid, elected or not, who have worked to create policies or otherwise change systems to improve safety and support for domestic violence survivors and their children and/or ensure greater accountability for batterers within the King County region.

For example, you might nominate:

• A doctor or judge who championed domestic violence training and/or policy change in their field
• A public official who has worked to increase funding for domestic violence services or to pass laws that support domestic violence survivors
• Someone who works for an agency like CPS or DSHS who has implemented changes in how domestic violence cases are handled.

Again, these are just suggestions to get you thinking. We want YOUR creative nominations!

How Winners are Chosen:
The award will be given to someone who exhibits the qualities that the late Norm Maleng brought to his job as King County Prosecutor. As Prosecutor, Norm took both initiative and personal responsibility to change policies so they would ensure a better response to domestic violence in King County. He successfully collaborated and engaged others in his vision and took the time to listen and respond appropriately to the needs of those most affected by the changes. Above all, he acted with great inspiration, powerful optimism and a commitment to doing the right thing.

The overarching criterion in the selection process is the nominee's representation of the above qualities. The magnitude of the policy or systems change may serve as a deciding factor when appropriate, but the emphasis will be on substance. Therefore, the Committee will look for evidence of vision, leadership, and successful implementation as guiding principles.

Deadline for Nominations:
Nominations must be received by July 30th. 

Click here to nominate someone you know today!

Click below to learn more about how to take action in your community.

individual | neighborhood | faith community| legislative | school

Nomination Flyers
Spread the word! Print and post one of the flyers below in your community so people know that they can take action by nominating someone.

Black and White Flyer
Color Flyer