LifeWire, a Bellevue, Washington-based organization that helps people impacted by domestic violence build, has presented Washington State Sen. Manka Dhingra with the Norm Maleng Award for her work to end domestic violence.
“I am so honored to receive the 2023 Norm Maleng Award,” said Dhingra, chair of the Senate Law & Justice Committee. “I started working on behalf of survivors of gender-based violence while I was in college and have continued to advocate for victims my entire life.”
“It is especially special to me to get an award named after Norm Maleng to continue this legacy…. since I was hired by him to be a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in 2000,”
Dhingra cofounded Chaya, an organization that assists South Asian survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
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“LifeWire is inspired by your work sponsoring and passing legislation that addresses a wide range of issues, including curbing domestic violence and sexual assault,” Theresa Anderson, president of the LifeWire Board of Directors, wrote to Dhingra.
“In addition to cofounding Chaya, you have helped pass numerous bills that serve victims and families that have experienced abuse. And notably, your work this year to fill the federal funding gap facing domestic violence advocates and to increase the rights of domestic violence survivors has had a profound impact on our organization and the communities we serve.”
Dhingra is also a Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, award-winning PTSA mom, anti-domestic violence advocate, and a community leader.
She has worked with the State Department of Social and Human Services, the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, legislators, and the Governor’s office to reform and improve our criminal justice system and to ensure individuals get the treatment they need and deserve.
A mental health and crisis intervention expert, Dhingra provides training to law enforcement and recently started a collaborative effort with King County law enforcement agencies to coordinate responses and help avoid tragedy, according to her official profile.
She also works directly with Harborview Hospital, mental health professionals, and courts to improve criminal justice outcomes for individuals with mental illness—seeking to close the revolving door of jail, homelessness, and crime, it says.