The Civil Rights Unit (CRU) is part of the Crime Victim and Survivor Services Division in the Oregon Department of Justice.  The CRU works closely with the Attorney General’s Civil Rights and Social Justice Director, Fay Stetz-Waters, who advises the Oregon Attorney General on civil rights issues.  Upon passage of SB 577 » in 2019, the CRU founded, structured, and staffed the nation’s first statewide Hate Crimes and Bias Incidents Response Hotline dedicated to supporting victims and witnesses targeted with hate or bias based on their protected class.  After the passage of HB 3265 » in 2021, the CRU also founded, structured, and staffed the state’s new Sanctuary Promise program and hotline, which investigates violations of Oregon’s sanctuary laws and support victims and families targeted with these law violations.  The CRU additionally engages in community, government, and law enforcement outreach and training regarding civil rights issues affecting marginalized and vulnerable Oregonians.

Fay Stetz-Waters, Director of Civil Rights and Social Justice

Fay Stetz-Waters is the Civil Rights and Social Justice Director for the Oregon Department of Justice. As the Director of Civil Rights and Social Justice, she is committed to increasing the Department’s impact on civil rights issues affecting marginalized and vulnerable Oregonians.

Fay has been a strong advocate for justice her whole life. She enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at age 17, where she worked as a field radio operator. While working as a 911 dispatcher at night, Fay earned a bachelor’s degree in history and graduated with honors from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. She attended Lewis and Clark Law School, where she wrote on constitutional issues like marriage equality, transgender rights, and crime victims’ rights.

She has also worked as an Administrative Law Judge for the Employment Department, a Hearings Officer for the Parole Board, an Equity Associate at Oregon State University, and as a Circuit Court Judge in Linn County.

Fay Stetz-Waters is available to speak to your group.