Over the last several years, we have seen the need grow in our community, both uncovered and exacerbated by the pandemic. During COVID-19 and the subsequent quarantines, it is estimated that cases of domestic violence have increased by 30%. Reports of child abuse fell and homicides in Washington County are at a twenty-year high. Low barrier coordinated services are needed now more than ever. In response, the FJC collaborative has expanded its scope and created a new vision.  

Through our work we have learned that in over 50% of domestic violence cases there is also co-occurring child abuse. To begin to address this, we have a vision and have undertaken a strategic initiative to co-locate with CARES Northwest, and expand the current FJC into the Family Peace Center, focused on prevention, intervention, healing, and hope for all forms of family violence, abuse, and trauma, to ensure that our children, our families, and our community, can have the safe futures they deserve.    

THE VISION 

• Enhance and deepen the impact of the current Family Justice Center collaborative, incorporating all Prevention, Intervention, Healing, and Hope services necessary to end violence, abuse, and trauma in our community into a single location. 

• To purchase and renovate a state-of-the art facility for Washington County children and families impacted by child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence. 

• To provide medical treatment, therapy, family support and prevention services to address trauma in a collaborative, proactive way while promoting the safety, healing, and hope of our community. 

THE PROBLEM 

Child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault are widespread 

• 40% of women and 36% of men experience domestic violence, compared to 33% and 24% nationally.  

• 27% of Oregon women are raped compared with 18% nationally, and 56% of Oregon women experience sexual assault other than rape, compared with 45% nationally.  

• 69% of our children experience trauma in their homes. 

• In 2019 Oregon had 89,451 reports of child abuse including 23 fatalities. 

• Almost half of the Washington County children who are abused or neglected live in homes where domestic violence is also present. 

Child abuse impacts everyone, but disproportionately impacts BIPOC children 

• Approximately 50% of the Washington County children treated for child abuse identify as non-white (top categories are Hispanic/Latino-30% and multi- racial/ethnic-36%). 

• Approximately 66% of the Washington County children treated for child abuse are financially vulnerable (either no health insurance or on Medicaid). 

Harm caused by child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence is long-lasting and expensive 

• Childhood trauma (known as Adverse Childhood Experiences or “ACEs”) increases the likelihood a person will experience mental health challenges, difficulty with school or employment, substance use, homelessness or involvement in the criminal justice system. 

• Among other ACEs, child witnesses to domestic violence are 6x more likely to complete suicide, 50% more likely to use drugs and alcohol, 74% more likely to commit a crime, 1600x more likely to experience child abuse, and constitute 4/5 inmates across the country. 

• 99% of abuse victims experience financial, housing, and employment instability as a result of abuse. 

• 84% of victims of domestic and sexual violence experience complex PTSD and are 6x more likely to use substances to cope.

• Domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness in our community, with 57% of homeless families reporting DV. 

• Over 90% of homeless youth report that experiencing abuse, neglect, or family violence as the direct cause of their homelessness.

• The cost of domestic violence over a victim’s lifetime is estimated to be $103,767. 

• The cost of sexual assault over a victim’s lifetime is estimated to be $241,600 

• The cost of child abuse over a victim’s lifetime is estimated to be $830,928 per victim, including costs for healthcare, child welfare, criminal justice, special education and lost work productivity. 

Washington County’s child population is growing 

• 139,603 children live in Washington County, representing approximately a quarter of the county’s entire population. 

• Washington County has the second largest child population in Oregon, with only 13,210 fewer children than Multnomah County 

• Within the next two decades, Washington County is projected to have the largest child population in Oregon. 

Washington County does not have a dedicated facility for child abuse victims 

• The primary medical clinic serving Washington County child abuse victims, CARES Northwest, located in Northeast Portland, requires up to a two-hour roundtrip drive per appointment. 

• CARES Northwest was established in 1987 primarily to serve Multnomah County children. 

• In 2018 and reversing a 30-year trend, CARES Northwest began serving more Washington County children than Multnomah County children (treating approximately 800 Washington County children annually). 

THE SOLUTION 

• Community members and leaders have been working together over the past two years to co-locate child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault services in a single location called the “Family Peace Center of Washington County,” serving children and families in our community, the first facility of its kind in Oregon. 

• Key features: 

• Expanded access to medical assessments and culturally appropriate trauma therapy for our children 

• Collaboration and partnership with Washington County agencies, leaders, professionals, educators and our diverse community members 

• A 64,000 square foot facility that brings together experts in medical treatment, trauma therapy, advocacy and prevention surrounding child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence. 

• Expansion room for partners to enhance their services, and incorporation of new partners 

• Comprehensive and holistic prevention and healing services to end violence and abuse in our community. 

• Investing in the Family Peace Center, a single facility for prevention, intervention, healing, and hope not only offers a vision of a future free of violence and save thousands of lives from trauma, but also hundreds of millions of dollars to the community in healthcare, state services, criminal justice, special education and lost work productivity.    

THE PARTNERS 

• Our community is behind this project. Already committed to delivering services on site are: Domestic Violence Resource Center, Sexual Assault Resource Center, CARES Northwest, Providence Forensic Nursing, Safety Compass, Community Action, DHS, Abuse Recovery Ministry Services, Family SkillBuilders Beaverton, Hillsboro, and Washington County law enforcement and victim’s services, Washington County Circuit Court, Washington County District Attorney’s Office, Oregon Law Center, Victim Rights Law Center, Disability Rights Oregon, and Oregon Crime Victims Law Center, with many more in conversation to join.