During National Crime Victims Week Oregon DOJ also distributes $9.1 million in federal grants

In recognition of Crime Victims Week (April 8-14, 2018), Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum today announced that the Oregon Department of Justice has renamed its Crime Victims’ Services Division to add “survivor” to its name. The new division is now named Crime Victim and Survivor Services Division (CVSSD).

In addition to the name change, Attorney General Rosenblum announced that 31 new grants totaling $9.1 million have been funded to expand victim and survivor services across Oregon.

“Although we have always served survivors of crimes, formally adding the word “survivor” to our much heralded Crime Victims Services Division acknowledges the many people who have been impacted by crime who prefer to think of themselves as survivors. And, we want to honor that choice,” said Attorney General Rosenblum. “We are more committed than ever to serving the needs of victims and survivors and providing them with statewide support.”

“We are honored to join CVSSD in celebrating their name change. We applaud their recognition of survivors’ experiences, in addition to all of their good work supporting advocacy services across Oregon,” said Vanessa Timmons, Executive Director of the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault (https://www.ocadsv.org).

The CVSSD’s mission is to reduce the impact of crime on the lives of victims and survivors. One way the division achieves this is through the Crime Victims’ and Survivors Compensation program. This program assists victims and survivors of violent crime with expenses associated with the criminal incident. Violent crime includes domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, robbery, assault, homicide or other crimes resulting in a physical or psychological injury. On average, 5,300 victims and survivors, as well as their families, receive compensation through the program each year.

“As part of Crime Victims’ Rights Week we are also proud to announce that over $9 million dollars in new grant funding has been awarded to significantly expand victim and survivor services throughout Oregon, ” said the Attorney General.

The 31 new grants will give 30-month monetary awards to:

• Eight of Oregon’s federally recognized Tribal Nations for enhanced victim service activities
• Six domestic violence advocacy programs to expand the delivery of community-based advocacy services to survivors of domestic violence through partnerships with local health care providers
• Six county-based human trafficking intervention task forces for multidisciplinary team coordination and advocacy services
• Seven university campuses across Oregon to enhance and expand campus-based qualified service programs for victims and survivors of gender-based violence on Oregon’s campuses
• Four Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs to serve as regional hubs for increased services for local CASA programs.

These new funding opportunities further Attorney General Rosenblum’s mission to develop and support community-based human trafficking response programs in Oregon, ensure access to confidential sexual assault services on campuses and in communities, provide access to services and resources to traditionally underserved populations; and to support trauma-informed responses to victimization across Oregon.

To mark Crime Victims Week, and the CVSSD name change, Attorney General Rosenblum will tour the Center for Hope and Safety in Salem, and the Gateway Center in Portland. Both Centers offer comprehensive services to victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.