Breaking the Cycle of Violence

Brand Story – The Family Justice Center

An independent nonprofit, coordinates services among multiple agencies to help survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and family abuse

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The Family Justice Center of Washington County (FJC) and its partner agencies aim to bring abuse out of the shadows, not only to support survivors but to interrupt the cycle. Because Oregon has higher than national rates of domestic violence and sexual assault, says the FJC’s executive director, business leaders can be certain that survivors work for them.

“Forty percent of women and thirty-six percent of men in Oregon experience domestic violence,” she says. “Fifty-four percent of women here experience sexual assault, and sixty-nine percent of kids in Oregon experience childhood trauma. Even if it’s not happening to you, it’s happening to someone you know—whether you know it or not—so it becomes an all-of-us problem.”

Paid Leave Oregon, with benefits beginning in September 2023, includes a safe leave component that provides up to 12 weeks paid time off for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, harassment, or stalking. Someone who must request this type of leave opens a conversation that likely no one is used to having in the workplace, leaving managers and human resource professionals to educate themselves in preparation.

Strong collective impact

The FJC brings together 18 agencies in one physical location and coordinates services among them. Prior to the FJC’s creation in 2018, people had to navigate the system themselves, which meant figuring out which services they needed, contacting disparate agencies, explaining and repeating their stories multiple times, and traveling to various and dispersed locations.

“As a community, we wanted to do something better and offer more to survivors in Washington County,” says Rachel Schutz, FJC’s executive director. “We did a community map and figured out where all the different agencies were, what the steps were, and how many times someone would have to connect with all those places to get help. It’s challenging and that’s not even when you’re in a massively heightened emotional state from experiencing extremely traumatic situations.”

The co-located service model, used around the world, is considered a best practice in family violence intervention and prevention. It simplifies processes for survivors and allows collaboration among multiple agencies that share a common goal.

“It’s a lot of work. You can go fast if you go alone. But as the proverb goes, you can go far if you go together. This is what collective impact looks like,” says Schutz.

Currently, the FJC occupies a 14,000-square-foot rented building on the Beaverton-Hillsboro Highway accessible by public transportation. People arriving at the facility for the first time fill out a questionnaire that lists all available assistance options and can check off as many services as they need. Someone from the FJC then arranges meetings with relevant agencies, walks survivors through various processes, and facilitates as people move between offices. 

Onsite partners at the FJC include the Domestic Violence Resource Center, the Sexual Assault Resource Center, law enforcement as well as organizations that offer legal services, support groups, crisis intervention, mental health services, and more. A food pantry and clothing closet provide basics, and people can use showers and receive meals while at the FJC. In addition, on-site childcare means children do not have to accompany parents to appointments. Every day at 1 p.m., the Washington County Circuit Court holds a virtual docket during which a judge rules on protective order petitions, so someone can fill out paperwork in the morning and receive a judge’s ruling that afternoon. Afterwards, the court shares restraining orders with the sheriff’s office, which can serve them that day.

FJC’s phone and internet services—provided by Comcast Business—ensure collaboration and connectivity and also serve clients when the building is closed. The voicemail system directs off-hour callers to every partner’s available crisis line.

“That twenty-four hour, seven-day-a-week reliable service that doesn’t go out allows us to help survivors even when our doors aren’t open,” says Schutz.

Comcast Business also supports the FJC through fundraisers, such as its

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 5: Gender Equality – The article discusses domestic violence and sexual assault, which are issues related to gender inequality.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – The article highlights the work of the Family Justice Center in coordinating services and providing support to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls – The article emphasizes the high rates of domestic violence and sexual assault in Oregon, indicating the need to address and eliminate these forms of violence.
• Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere – The article discusses the efforts of the Family Justice Center to interrupt the cycle of abuse and provide support to survivors, contributing to the reduction of violence and related death rates.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 5.2: Proportion of women and girls subjected to sexual violence by persons other than an intimate partner – The article mentions that 54% of women in Oregon experience sexual assault, indicating a high prevalence of this form of violence.
• Indicator for Target 16.1: Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population, by sex and age – The article does not provide specific data on homicide rates, but it highlights the importance of interrupting the cycle of violence to prevent further harm.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: oregonbusiness.com

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