Claudia Ackerman
DVSAS of Whatcom COunty
Group Coordinator
Claudia Ackerman has worked as the Group Coordinator for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of Whatcom County since August of 2000. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Human Services from Western Washington University in 1997. Claudia has facilitated adolescent sexual assault support groups for girls in various Whatcom County middle and high schools for over 19 years and has also provided similar groups at Sea Mar Visions Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center, as well as in Whatcom County's Juvenile Justice System. Claudia facilitates adult groups for survivors in the community at large as well as at the Whatcom County jail. As part of her dedication toward ending abuses of power, Claudia has provided Victim Empathy training to perpetrators of sexual assault as part of their treatment program. She has presented webinars on support group facilitation and led workshops on journaling as a coping mechanism, both at Washington's annual conference and at California's state conference.
Claudia has two sons, is a grandmother of 8, resides in Bellingham with her husband Rick, and enjoys walking, kayaking, baking, playing the piano, and spending time in her yard.
She plans on continuing to do the work until there is no more work to do.