Today, John Okamoto, Interim Director of Seattle’s Human Services Department (HSD) announced Lan Pham as the manager of the Office for Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Prevention. This office was re-launched by Mayor Ed Murray upon taking office in January 2014 to manage the City’s $4.9 million annual investment to address domestic violence, sexual assault and sexual exploitation.

Ms. Pham’s career has been dedicated to improving health and economic outcomes and improving the safety of our communities’ most vulnerable. Lan Pham previously worked as the senior planning and development specialist within HSD’s Domestic Violence Unit. Prior to this, she served as the executive director of the Asian and Pacific Islander Women and Family Safety Center. She has also served in critical roles at International Community Health Services, Asian Counseling and Referral Services and University of Washington’s School of Social Work, where she conducted research on health behaviors.

“Lan Pham was selected from an exceptional pool of qualified candidates for this critical role,” Said John Okamoto, Interim Director, Seattle Human Services Department. “The residents of Seattle and King County are lucky to have such an accomplished and tireless advocate working to address domestic violence and sexual exploitation in our community.

“I am pleased that Lan Pham has been selected to lead the Office of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault”, said Merril Cousin, Executive Director of the King County Coalition Against Domestic Violence. As a researcher, advocate, and leader, Lan Pham brings the experience and skills needed to successfully launch this important new office. We look forward to working together with her and her team, along with other community leaders and the public, to respond to and prevent domestic violence, sexual assault and sexual exploitation in Seattle and King County.”

As a refugee herself, Lan Pham brings a unique understanding to the specific needs and competencies required to working with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and sexual exploitation who have language and other cultural barriers that could impede ability to reach out for help”, said Mahnaz Eshetu, Executive Director, ReWA.

In addition to managing the City’s $4.9 million annual investment to address abuse and exploitation, the Office of Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault will also coordinate the City’s participation in the Domestic Violence Prevention Council and will work closely with key partners such as the Seattle Police Department, the City Attorney’s Office, the King County Prosecutors Office, City Council and service providers to provide leadership critical to launching the Domestic Violence Response Center.

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The Seattle Human Services Department invest in and operates programs and services that meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable people in our community—families and individuals with low incomes, children, domestic violence and sexual assault victims, homeless people, seniors and persons with disabilities.