LifeWire honors Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond) for her good work in ending domestic violence
Our Bureau
Bellevue, WA
Manka Dhingra, an Indian American makes a profound impact on the community having received the Norm Maleng Award from LifeWire for her relentless work to end domestic abuse.
Dhingra is the Deputy Majority Leader of the Washington State Senate. She was first elected to the Senate by the constituents of the 45th Legislative District in November 2017, earning the distinction of being the first Sikh state legislator elected in the nation.
“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 of working to end sexual and domestic violence since I was hired by him to be a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in 2000,” she stated emphatically.
As per Dhingra, 20% of all murders in Washington are domestic violence offenses. As are a quarter of rapes, and more than half of simple assaults. She emphasized that these numbers tell a story that the people of our state need to hear, that domestic violence is an emergency. The need is urgent for stronger protections, more expansive services, adequate funding, and preventive strategies.
“There is still much work to do, but together we are making tremendous progress,” she added further.
The Norm Maleng Award, by LifeWire, is presented each year to a community member who dedicates their attention and efforts to ending domestic violence. LifeWire is a Bellevue-based nonprofit that focuses on legal advocacy, emergency shelter, housing, and other services for domestic violence survivors.
“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,” Theresa added.
Dhingra has served with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for two decades, as a Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.
