District Attorney

Abuse of the elderly (over the age of 65) affects some of our most vulnerable victims. Elder Abuse can occur anywhere: in the home, in nursing homes or other institutions. Abusers may be family members, acquaintances, care givers or other professionals in a position of trust. Victim Assistance is available to provide support and information to victims of elder abuse including non-offending family. Under Oregon Law, suspected elder abuse must be reported to law enforcement or adult protective services.

Elder abuse can take many different forms. Some signs of abuse are:

• Physical Abuse - Slap marks, unexplained bruises, most pressure marks, and certain types of burns or blisters, such as cigarette burns.
• Neglect - Pressure ulcers, filth, lack of medical care, malnutrition or dehydration.
• Emotional Abuse - Withdrawal from normal activities, unexplained changes in alertness, or other unusual behavioral changes.
• Sexual Abuse - Bruises around the breasts or genital area and unexplained sexually transmitted diseases.
• Financial Abuse/Exploitation - Sudden change in finances and accounts, altered wills and trusts, unusual bank withdrawals, checks written as "loans" or "gifts," and loss of property.

There is a specific protective order available to Elderly Persons and Persons with Disabilities (EPPDAPA) www.courts.oregon.gov/programs/family/domestic-violence/Pages/elderly-abuse.aspx. If you need assistance in applying for a protective order, please call Victim Assistance at 503-655-8616.

To report Elder Abuse in Clackamas County, you can contact law enforcement or Adult Protective Services (APS) at 971-673-6655.

Additional resources in Clackamas County Social Services website www.clackamas.us/socialservices/seniorresources.html or by calling 503-650-5622.

• If a child is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
• lf you suspect a child is being abused, call law enforcement or the Oregon Department of Human Services Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Number: 1-855-503-7233.
• As part of the District Attorney's Office, Victim Advocates are mandatory reporters required by law to report suspected child abuse and neglect.

You can call to talk to an advocate 24/7 at 503-655-8516

Abuse of someone under the age of 18 is considered child abuse. Types of child abuse include: neglect, physical abuse and sexual abuse. Often the person responsible for the abuse is done by someone that a child knows or who is part of their family.

Learning that a child has been physically or sexually abused can overwhelm the people who love and care for that child. Victim Assistance is here to provide support to the child as well as parents, family and caregivers that are helping the child in their healing from the abuse.

Throughout the investigation and prosecution of the case, a Victim Advocate will:

• Provide on-going contact with the parent or caregiver of the child to offer information and support.
• Assist the child or family in contacting law enforcement and the Deputy District Attorney assigned to their case
• Provide information on what to expect at different stages of the criminal justice system
• Assist victims and their family in accessing their rights within the criminal justice system
• Attend meetings and hearings with victims or their family
• Assist the child and their family in accessing appropriate support services such as
  • Applying for Crime Victim Compensation to assist with medical or counseling costs not covered by insurance
  • Connecting with the Children's Center of Clackamas County for medical examination and forensic interviewing due to suspected abuse
  • Referrals to counseling resources
  • Contacting DHS-Self Sufficiency for Financial Assistance

Under Oregon law sexual abuse is defined in ORS 163.415 as any non-consensual sexual contact. This includes contact resulting from physical force or a threat of force that places a person in fear of immediate or future death or physical injury to self or another person. Common terms that are associated with sexual assault are: rape, sex abuse and sodomy.

There is no "normal" reaction to being sexually abused. Frequently victims of sexual abuse report feeling overwhelmed, numb, anxious, angry or feeling a lack of control. You may have difficulty concentrating, being around other people, sleeping or eating. These reactions to sexual abuse can make difficult to decide what steps you want to take

Even if you do not seem physically injured, it is important to medical attention as soon as possible after an assault. You do not need to report being sexually assaulted to the police to have a sexual abuse examination. A sexual assault examination can include preventative treatment against STDs and HIV and the exam will preserve any potential physical evidence if you later decide to report the assault to the police. lf the exam is done within 7 days of the assault, the Sexual Assault Victims' Emergency (SAVE) fund is able to pay the costs of the exam.

Our Victim Advocates are here to provide emotional support in the immediate aftermath of sexual abuse as well as provide advocacy, resources and referrals to assist you in your recovery process. lf you report your abuse to law enforcement, a victim advocate will provide support and information throughout the criminal justice process.

Whether or not you report your abuse to law enforcement, a victim advocate can:

• Explain your options of reporting the sexual abuse to law enforcement
• Provide support during a medical exam
• Provide information and referrals to available resources
• Help you access funds to pay for your medical exam
• Help you make a safety plan
• Assist with filing a protective order

ln addition, if you report the crime to law enforcement, a victim advocate can:

• Support you throughout the criminal justice process
• Provide notification of court hearings and their outcomes
• Accompany you to court hearings and meetings with law enforcement or the prosecutor
• Assist you in understanding and exercising your victim rights
• Provide on-going referrals to resources and assist with safety planning as your needs change

Victim Assistance is here to help
Please call 503-655-8616 (24 hr) or email: victimsassistance@clackamas.us

Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior between intimate partners or family members that allows one person to maintain power and control over another person.

Domestic violence can happen to anyone: all ages, races, religions, educational backgrounds, and income levels. Abuse can include physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological behaviors. Examples of these behaviors include:

• Jealousy
• Constantly wanting to know where you are and what you’re doing
• Preventing you from spending time with family or friends
• Hitting, pushing, strangling, kicking
• Threatening to use a weapon or some other object
• Forcing you to perform a sexual act
• Preventing you from leaving
• Not allowing you access to money to buy food or pay bills
• Causing problems at your work, getting you fired

Victim Assistance is here to help

If you are a victim of domestic violence or want support for a loved one, our office can provide:

• Physical and emotional support immediately after a crime has occurred
• Safety planning appropriate to your situation
• Support while applying for protective orders
• Referrals to appropriate resources
• Support while reporting to law enforcement
• Information about your rights as a victim of crime
• Information, support and accompaniment throughout the criminal justice process
• Support in applying for assistance with medical or counseling expenses related to a crime (Crime Victim Compensation)
• Assistance with requesting restitution for out of pocket expenses