Government & Policy
Author, Pioneering Sex Trafficking Education Bill, WA State Legislature:
Washington is the sixth-largest epicenter of sex trafficking in the United States. I am authoring a bill to mandate and create standards for sex trafficking education in WA state. The bill aims to mitigate sex trafficking through education of the next generation. If passed in State legislature, WA youth aged 7th-12th grade would be required to learn about resources and legal rights to help serve themselves and their communities, by fostering empathy and civic engagement to become upstanding individuals against sex trafficking. I am partnering with Senator Claire Wilson (D-WA) and working with several legislative advisors to create this bill. This bill is currently on the senate floor. Follow along!
Founder and Grant Awardee, Sexual Assault and Sex Trafficking Prevention Course:
As an avid advocate against sex trafficking and for human rights, I interviewed victims and education experts to author an action and awareness-based course on sexual assault and sex trafficking. I worked with WA Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to bring this course to the state curriculum. In 2021, I applied for and received the highly competitive OER grant for ~$16K to plan and create content for teaching this course as part of the standard school curriculum in WA state. This course is intended to shatter stereotypes, ignorance, and misinformation, and provide students necessary resources to take action.
In collaboration with Open Education Resources, I have extended this course to its international learning platform to enable sex trafficking education worldwide.
As a project lead, I have hired and am leading a team of counselors, Educational Service District content experts, legislators, and non-governmental organizations for the finalization and implementation of this course.
Founder and Author, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Manual on Sex Trafficking Prevention, WSU College of Nursing:
Author for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner training manual to raise awareness within patient-provider judgement by addressing hidden sex trafficking signs within intersectional demographics, racial stereotypes and dismantling myths. Currently in use at WSU CON and under review for publication at the national Articulate National Nurse Certification Platform as training for forensic nurses. Written under the mentorship of Dr. Victoria Sattler, WSU Professor and lead RN Manager at the WA Dept. of Health.
Washington Legislative Youth Action Council Board Member:
One of 11 students selected across the entire state of Washington to serve as a youth advisor to Washington-state legislators, working closely with the State Congress and Lieutenant Governor. Youth advisors help suggest potential legislation and action to be taken by the state government as the official voice of Washington youth and serve two-year terms.
I have co-written, passed, and testified, notably, for:
HB 1622, concerning training of SANEs (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners)
HB 1834 on mandating mental health days in schools
HB 1664: concerning changing prototypical school models
HB 1659: concerning college/higher education accessibility
HB 1748: concerning awareness and relief for sex trafficking of the blind, aged, or disabled individuals
I lobbied with Rep. Javier Valdez (D-WA), Sen. Amy Walen (D-WA), Rep. Vandana Slatter (D-WA), Sen. Patty Kuderer (D-WA), and Rep. Emily Wicks (D-WA): ultimately helping these bills pass in the WA State legislature.