28 BRAND STORY PRODUCED BY THE OREGON BUSINESS MARKETING DEPARTMENT BY AMY SOUZA Sexual violence and domestic abuse thrive in silence. 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 Breaking the Cycle of Violence The Family Justice Center, an independent nonprofit, coordinates services among multiple agencies to help survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and family abuse. “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.” RACHEL SCHUTZ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER Voices of Hope annual survivor art gallery event in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention, Sexual Assault Awareness, and Crime Victim Rights. Guest Speaker from OAASIS (Oregon Abuse Advocates and Survivors In Service).
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