Victim Assistance

The mission of the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Victim Assistance Program is to involve crime victims and the community in a process that helps to diminish the devastating impact of crime. Experienced advocates are available to assist victims of all crimes and provide support to individuals who have suffered physical, emotional and/or financial harm as the result of crime.

Advocates provide:

Want to be a Volunteer?

Help support victims of crime in your community as a Volunteer Victim Advocate

The Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office supports victims of crime through the use of volunteers as well as staff advocates. As a Volunteer Victim Advocate, you have the unique privilege of providing crisis intervention and ongoing support to people in the aftermath of trauma caused by crime. Advocates keep victims informed of events in their case, accompany victims to court and support them in accessing their rights under Oregon law. The support of an advocate during a difficult and complicated process can minimize additional stress and trauma a victim of crime may experience.

The work of our volunteers is supported by District Attorney’s staff and includes an initial, comprehensive, 40-hour training as well as ongoing monthly meetings which provide information on advocacy skills and resources for victims of crime. The initial 40-hour training is offered twice a year and classes are held in the evening. Our next training starts in September.

Many volunteers work full-time jobs along with their volunteer commitment. Essential qualities for an advocate include empathy, good listening skills and being able to help people problem-solve. Advocates must be at least 18 years of age, have reliable transportation and no criminal background. Victim advocacy is a very rewarding opportunity give back to your community.

For more information, please contact Cher Gerig or Keysha Kendall at 503-655-8616 or kkendall@clackamas.us.

Civil Rights Compliance Statement for Clackamas County DA-VAP

The Clackamas County District Attorney's Office Victim Assistance operates its program, services and activities in compliance with federal nondiscrimination laws. No person shall, on the basis of race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), disability, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or age, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any of our programs. To file a complaint of discrimination, write Office for Civil Rights, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice (OCR), 810 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC 2O53t or call 202-307-0690 (Voice or 2O2-3O7-2O27 (TDD/TTY). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may also contact OCR through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339 (TTY), 877-877-8982 (Speech) or 800-845-6136 (Spanish). To file a complaint of discrimination with this organization, write, or call. To file a complaint of discrimination with the Oregon Department of Justice, Crime Victim and Survivor Services Division, write Oregon Department of Justice, Crime Victim and Survivor Services Division, Attn: Shannon Sivell, Complaint Coordinator, L1.62 Court Street NE, Salem, OR 97301 or call 503-378-5348. You may also email shannon.l.sivell@doi.state.or.us.

Instructions

All forms of communication available to the public regarding program availability must contain the appropriate civil rights statement. The civil rights statement must be prominently displayed on publications, websites, posters and informational materials mentioning USDOJ programs in bold print and no smaller than the general text of the document. The standard/full civil rights statement must be used whenever possible. Single-page documents that do not have space for the full civil rights statement may contain a condensed version in a print size no smaller than the text used throughout the document.