LifeWire, a Bellevue, Washington-based organization dedicated to supporting domestic violence survivors, has honored Washington State Senator Manka Dhingra with the Norm Maleng Award in recognition of her tireless efforts to combat domestic violence.
Expressing her gratitude for the award, Senator Dhingra, who chairs the Senate Law & Justice Committee, highlighted her long-standing commitment to advocating for survivors of gender-based violence, beginning during her college years.
Dhingra noted the personal significance of receiving an award bearing Norm Maleng’s name, as he had hired her as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in 2000, marking the inception of her career.
In addition to her legislative work, Senator Dhingra is a co-founder of Chaya, an organization that aids South Asian survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
LifeWire’s president, Theresa Anderson, commended Dhingra’s contribution to the passage of legislation addressing domestic violence and sexual assault, underscoring her work to bridge federal funding gaps for domestic violence advocates and improve the rights of survivors.
Senator Dhingra’s multifaceted roles include serving as a Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, an award-winning PTSA mom, an anti-domestic violence advocate, and a community leader.
She has collaborated with various organizations and governmental bodies to reform the criminal justice system, enhance access to treatment, and ensure individuals receive the support they need. As a mental health and crisis intervention expert, she provides training to law enforcement and has initiated collaborative efforts to coordinate responses and prevent crises.
Senator Dhingra’s work with Harborview Hospital, mental health professionals, and the courts aims to improve outcomes for individuals with mental illness, with the ultimate goal of breaking the cycle of incarceration, homelessness, and crime.
