Board proclaims October 2021 “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” as pandemic fuels rise in cases, severity

October 29, 2021

The Board of County Commissioners proclaimed October 2021 as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” in Multnomah County during their Thursday, Oct. 28, board meeting. The annual proclamation sheds light on the many harms of domestic violence and its effects on survivors, loved ones, and the broader community.

Domestic violence is a pattern of controlling behavior perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It can take the form of physical abuse, intimidation, emotional or psychological abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse and other abusive behavior. 

“This annual proclamation is so important because it casts light on an issue that is all-too-often in the shadows,” said Commissioner Susheela Jayapal in a statement. She sponsored the proclamation.  

People who are victims of domestic violence are also likely to experience other forms of marginalization and instability that reinforce or exacerbate their vulnerability. For example, domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness among families, while nearly 8 million days of paid work each year are lost due to domestic violence issues – equivalent to more than 32,000 full-time jobs. 

“Domestic violence is intertwined with, and connected to, the most pressing issues of our time, including racial injustice, gender injustice, poverty and economic inequality, houselessness and public safety,” said Jayapal.

Nationally, one in three women will become a victim of domestic or sexual violence over the course of their life. One in seven men report experiencing severe physical abuse from a partner in their lifetime. Domestic violence also affects children, with one in 15 being exposed to it every year. 

“The prevalence of domestic violence in our community has reached such high numbers, and this makes domestic violence personal for all of us,” said Commissioner Sharon Meieran. “We, more likely than not, know a survivor of domestic violence.” 

The Multnomah County Domestic and Sexual Violence Coordination Office (DSVCO) serves domestic violence survivors and other community members through a combination of trauma-informed and culturally responsive services. DSVCO funds programs that include support groups, economic empowerment programs, credit remediation assistance, housing, legal services and other supportive services.

“I want to make some space to acknowledge the work and dedication of the County’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Coordination Office, and really all of the partner organizations that support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in our community” Chair Deborah Kafoury said. “It’s a serious, stubborn issue that’s deeply intertwined with so many other systemic injustices.” 

Alix Sanchez, who directs the DSVCO, added his own appreciation for the staff who have worked tirelessly to serve survivors, despite a challenging two years shaped by the pandemic.  

“I would be really remiss if I didn’t give my own deep appreciations to the folks that make up

the DSVCO here at the County,” Sanchez said. “Our program specialists have gone above and beyond during this pandemic to ensure that our contracted community partners have support from the county to navigate this really rapidly changing service provision and funding streams.”

Marginalized groups disproportionately affected by domestic violence 

Anyone can experience domestic violence. But members of certain groups experience it at a disproportionate rate. People with disabilities, older adults, women of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and immigrants and refugees are more likely to have worse outcomes, in large part due to the systemic barriers and gaps in the service system. 

Refugee and Immigrant Family Strengthening (RIFS), a program within Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is working to fill the gap. The program was started at IRCO in 1998 by 15 refugee women after many refugees arriving in the tri-county area reported experiencing domestic violence. Today, RIFS continues to provide culturally appropriate domestic violence services to immigrant and undocumented victims.

A team of staff fluent in 21 languages serves victims with a range of tools including safety planning, emergency shelter, court accompaniment, sustainable housing and more. The program also operates a 24/7 hotline that ensures victims can access immediate support at any time. 

“Our advocates are a lifeline for victims as they flee from violence, recover from trauma and rebuild their lives,” said Marie Abijuru, who helps coordinate domestic violence services for IRCO. “We cannot do the work without your support and voice to end violence in our communities.” 

COVID-19 challenges domestic violence system

The COVID-19 pandemic has added to the challenges facing the domestic violence system. According to advocates and survivors, the prevalence and severity of domestic violence has increased over the last two years. While domestic violence often takes place behind closed doors, the pandemic has also made instances of domestic violence even less visible, with fewer in-person interactions. 

“We all recognize how the pandemic has brought undue strain on many households, and some have made their living environments or relationships unsafe,” said Commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson

At the same time, the pandemic has opened up opportunities, often out of necessity, to be more collaborative and innovative to better serve survivors. To safely continue meeting people’s needs, many agencies have gone virtual to keep the domestic violence system functioning during the pandemic. 

Home Free, a program of County partners Volunteers of America Oregon, also co-locates domestic violence advocates in places like schools, healthcare settings and Oregon Department of Human Services branches. This allows case workers and advocates to meet people in locations they may already frequent. 

“We had to pivot in a variety of ways to adapt to the changing world we’re living in,” said Christina McGovney, the program manager for Home Free. “We created a restraining order hotline to ensure our survivors have continued access to the protection orders they so desperately want and need.”

Despite the pandemic, grand juries, trials and cases have continued. In the last year alone, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office has received more than 2,700 referred domestic violence cases. In some instances, victims have travelled across the world to participate in trials and make impact statements sharing their stories. 

“Each case is a person, a family, a neighborhood, a community,” said Emily Hyde, a supervisor in the District Attorney’s Office. “Our advocates reach out to every victim in every custody case to understand their needs or perspectives, offer assistance, and explain what is happening in the moment, [and] what can happen that day, that week, and the options moving into the future.”

As the domestic violence system of care faces a future shaped by COVID-19, Deputy District Attorney Angela Rico urged the board to continue its support for domestic violence services. 

“We also need your help in ensuring that we’re able to continue to serve our community in a way that is the most helpful during what is oftentimes the most challenging time,” Rico said. “With your help, we can ensure that people continue to get the resources they need to break out of the cycle of domestic violence by connecting them with the right programs in the community.” 

As advocates and community-based organizations work tirelessly to respond to the troubling increase in domestic violence cases, board members affirmed their commitment to uplifting survivors. 

“This is a problem that continues,” Commissioner Lori Stegmann said. “It is so important to make sure that we have a reminder by having Domestic Violence Awareness Month brought to our attention each and every year so we don’t forget the challenges that too many women, children, families and men face.”