The vision of the Department of Community Justice Victim and Survivor Services is a County that is equitable, responsive, and resourced to meet the needs of those who have experienced harm while creating meaningful options to repair harm.
Victim and Survivor Services' Core Values
Equitable/Equity
We believe that practicing equity, valuing diversity, and addressing intersecting oppressions is necessary to repair and prevent harm within our community. We recognize that the criminal justice system is historically oppressive, that it continues to cause harm to certain communities at higher rates, and that white supremacy values appear everywhere in our social and justice systems. Racism and oppression within systems keep the privileged in power and disadvantage marginalized communities. We believe it is our responsibility to learn, reflect and find the ways we hold privilege and perpetuate oppression. We are dedicated to thinking about equity for every decision we make. We are committed to dismantling systems of oppression and we will work to improve systems to be safe, inclusive and equitable for all people.
When working with survivors of violence and victims of crime, we center the individual and all of their needs and experiences. We offer culturally responsive services to address people’s specific needs including making referrals to culturally specific community resources. We recognize that people who have experience harm may have also experienced harm by institutional and systemic oppression.
Survivor-Led
We believe that survivors of violence and crime victims are the experts of their own lives. Our role is to follow the lead of the people we serve by empowering them to find and build upon their strengths. With a non-judgmental frame, we provide honest and transparent information, and support victims and survivors in making choices that they decide are right for their unique situation. We encourage our community partners to listen to the needs of survivors of violence and crime victims and follow the lead of each individual they serve.
Trauma-Informed
Being trauma-informed is a process that involves continuous effort and learning about the best ways to support people. We want to prevent any re-traumatization and restore a sense of safety and power to survivors of violence and victims of crime. We recognize the impacts of systemic and historical trauma. We understand that victims and survivors may come into our justice and social systems with distrust and fear that they will experience additional harm from these systems.
Our staff support people going through these complex systems and try to lessen barriers for trauma survivors.
We understand the impact of vicarious trauma for our staff and believe it must be addressed in order for us to do our best work. We try to find ways to address harm and follow the principles of restorative justice to repair harm whenever we can.
More information about Victim and Survivor Services and our goals
The Victim and Survivor Services unit provides support to crime victims and survivors who have been harmed by an adult or youth who is on probation, parole or post-prison supervision with the Department of Community Justice in Multnomah County.
We also provide support to adults and youth on probation, parole and post-prison supervision who are experiencing complex trauma such as domestic or sexual violence, stalking, sex trafficking, gang violence and gun violence. Our advocates offer trauma-informed and survivor-led services including: safety planning, advocacy for your legal rights, emotional support, trauma education, system information and navigation, information about an offender’s status, court accompaniment, collaboration with community providers and referrals to community and culturally specific resources. Our advocates work 9am-5pm Monday through Friday.
To connect with an advocate please call 503-988-7606 or email dcj.advocate@multco.us.
To connect with Nichelle Moore, Manager of the Victim and Survivor Services unit, please call 971-930-9741 or email nichelle.moore@multco.us.