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Contact Information
Myra Downing, Executive Director
Gender and Justice Commission
Administrative Office of the Courts
(360) 705-5290
myra.downing@courts.wa.gov
Education & Training
Webinars

2013
Fall Judicial Conference
  • Lawyering and Justice - Emerging Issues of Nations in Transitions
  • Power and Reach of the Internet
  • Same Sex Marriage
District and Municipal Court Judges' Association Spring Conference
Protection Orders

Superior Court Judges' Association Spring Conference
  • How Far Would You Go?
  • Sexual Assault Protection Orders (SAPO)

2012
Fall Judicial Conference
  • What Makes it Cultural and How Would you Respond?
  • I Served My County and Now How Can You Serve Me?
  • Beyond Inclusion: Beyond Empowerment
  • The Anatomy of an Interaction: Applying the Beyond Inclusion, Beyond Empowerment Models
  • Immigration
Court Manager Regional Training
In Her Shoes
The Gender and Justice Commission and staff facilitates the simulated exercise "In Her Shoes" throughout the year for various court-associated groups. "In Her Shoes" is a simulation exercise which allows participants the opportunity to experience courts through the eyes of a victim of domestic violence - In Her Shoes - assisting them in understanding the dynamics befalling a victim of domestic violence.
2012 Court Manager Regional Training Schedule 

Judicial College
Video for Discussion Topic
Judge orders husband to treat wife to flowers, dinner, and bowling after a domestic dispute.


2011
Fall Judicial Conference
  • Color Blind Justice? The Role of Judges in Addressing Ethnic Disparity and Racial Disproportionality in the Criminal and Civil Justice System
  • Elders in the Court - Vulnerability, Capacity, and Undue Influence
  • Sexual Orientation - Developments in the Law and Issues for the Courts
  • Domestic Violence Lethality Risk Assessment
  • Girls in Trouble
Judicial College
Domestic Violence Session including "In Her shoes"

Commission Sponsored Activities:
  • Presented In Her Shoes in Thurston County
  • Elder Abuse session in partnership with the DMCJA Diversity Committee
  • Cyberstalking session presented to the Misdemeanant Court Association
  • Updated the Domestic Violence (DV) Manual
  • Developing Sexual Violence Bench Guide

2010
District and Municipal Court Judges' Spring Conference
Cyberspace: A Stalker's New Playground
Cyberstalking is a relatively new phenomenon which is made easier with today's culture of being tuned in and turned on. Technology is constantly evolving in ways that enhance the safety and security of the public but also in ways that make it easier for individuals to be harassed and stalked. Chief Justice Barbara Madsen, Judge Alicia Nakata, Mr. Bernie Ryan, and Ms. Teresa Atkinson presented on the latest technology and its impact on the courts. Additionally, the presentation included a person victimized by cyberstalking to share her story and experiences. The session allowed participants to review the legislative changes from ESHB2777, brought awareness of how technology can be used to stalk people, identified signs of potential use of technology by a stalker, and examined how a person may become a victim of cyberstalking.

The Challenges of Serving Immigrants in the Washington Courts of Limited Jurisdiction
Washington State has a growing immigrant population. To address the challenges in the courts of limited jurisdiction a panel of presenters was convened. The presenters included Judge Eileen Kato, Mr. Salvador Mungia, Dr. John Martin, Judge Sara Derr, and Mr. Matt Adams. The presenters focused on the legal consequences of conviction for immigrant defendants and their families as well as the role of judges in ensuring immigrant defendants are adequately informed before a change of plea.

2009
District and Municipal Court Judges' Spring Conference
Being Flexible and Respecting Best Practices in Challenging Domestic Sentencing Cases
The Commission sponsored a plenary session led by Dr. Anne Ganley, Mr. Roy Carson, and Judge Judy Rae Jasprica. The session provided a nexus between the most effective treatment practices when working with perpetrators of domestic violence and the options judges have upon sentencing.

Superior Court Judges' Association Spring Conference
Sexual Violence: Ethical Issues
The Commission explored the myths and biases around sexual violence and victims of sexual assault. In preparation for the session, a survey was sent to all superior court judicial officers. The survey was designed to elicit opinions regarding factors considered in rape cases. The responses were used to develop scenarios for the session. In collaboration with organizations in the sexual assault prevention community, the Commission is taking the lead in preparing a Sexual Assault Bench Guide.


2008
District and Municipal Court Judges' Association Spring Conference
The War: Issues for the Courts
The number of soldiers in our courtrooms has increased due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. The Commission took the initiative in creating and presenting this session at the Spring Conference.

2007
Presiding Judges' Conference
Sexual Orientation: Issues for the Courts
The Presiding Judge and Court Administrator of every court were presented with a Judicial Benchbook on this topic.

District and Municipal Court Spring Program
Orders of Protection and Issues with Weapons  

Annual Judicial Conference
Firearms and Domestic Violence: Court and Community Safety
The purpose of the session was to enhance judicial officers' understanding and awareness of federal and state statutes pertaining to batterer's firearm restrictions and protection order firearm prohibitions and to offer some solutions to assist courts in enforcing their orders relating to firearms.
Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide
 
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