As a statewide organization founded by local shelters and advocacy programs, the Coalition participates in state-and national-level commissions, projects, task forces, committees, and other collaborative efforts. Our primary responsibility is to help ensure that survivors’ interests are represented in a wide range of policy- and decision-making spaces. This work also improves networking with community partners and agencies, and supports domestic violence and sexual assault services providers across the state.
Listed below are some of the bodies in which the Coalition participates:
Oregon Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team
The Oregon Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team (ODVFRT) is a multi-disciplinary team of statewide experts that reviews select domestic violence fatalities to determine what can be learned to reduce the likelihood of additional fatalities. The mission of ODVFRT is to improve the coordinated statewide response to, and prevention of, domestic violence and domestic violence-related fatalities.
Oregon Attorney General’s Sexual Assault Task Force
The Oregon SATF is dedicated to the effective prevention of and response to sexual violence across multiple systems. Through eight committees, this group seeks to facilitate cross-discipline collaboration and cultivate victim-centered approaches to sexual assault primary prevention, victim advocacy, medical forensic care, criminal prosecution and sex offender management and treatment. Coalition staff participate in several SATF committees pertaining to public policy, victim response, and prevention and education.
Domestic & Sexual Violence Funds Advisory Board
The Oregon Department of Human Services, Children, Adults and Families (DHS, CAF) administers state and federal funding through the federal Family Violence Prevention Services (FVPSA) program to fund programs that identify, prevent and treat family violence (Oregon Revised Statutes 108.610 through 108.660). The original legislation passed in 1981 allowed funding to make grants or contracts for shelters, safe home networks, and crisis lines and for training and technical assistance. It was formed to improve services and guide discussion around policy and services to domestic violence survivors throughout the state of Oregon.
National Resource Sharing Project (RSP)
The Resource Sharing Project (RSP) was created to help state sexual assault coalitions across the country access the resources they need in order to develop and thrive. The project is designed to provide technical assistance, support, and to facilitate peer-driven resources for all statewide sexual assault coalitions. The Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault (IowaCASA), assisted by the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCCASA) and the Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs (WCSAP), leads the RSP.
The Oregon Alliance To End Violence Against Women
The Oregon Alliance to End Violence Against Women was founded in 1999 with the primary purpose of promoting legislation in Oregon designed to protect and to empower survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Its secondary purpose is to monitor and to develop public policy that ensures an effective statewide system to address and to respond to violence against women. Membership is open to anyone or to any organization that seeks to advance these goals. The Alliance begins organizing for legislative sessions early in the year prior to the session, holding meetings around the state, soliciting ideas for legislation, establishing priorities, making legislative contacts, and drafting priority bills. During the legislative session, the Alliance provides information throughout the session to people in local communities about the status of bills of interest, and urges members to maintain active contact with their legislators about domestic violence and sexual assault issues in general and about specific bills in particular. Each session, the Alliance holds a very successful “Awareness Day” at the Capitol, in which Alliance members and supporters came from across the state to Salem to speak with their legislators about domestic violence and sexual assault issues in their communities.
Oregon Domestic & Sexual Violence Services Fund (ODSVS) – Advisory Council
State General Funds are administered by the Department of Justice. This Advisory Council is created by statute and reflects a broad and diverse representation of stakeholders that bring expertise in domestic and sexual violence services. The Council advises the State Attorney General and the State Department of Justice on how this fund should be allocated.
Violence Against Women Act – VAWA Board
The Oregon Department of Justice, Crime Victims Assistance Section administers funds to domestic violence and sexual assault programs. The Advisory Board has primary responsibility for funding decisions and issuing the yearly Request for Proposals. The VAWA funds are awarded to local domestic violence and sexual assault programs, courts, law enforcement and prosecution.
National Network to End Domestic Violence – Policy Committee
OCADSV executive director Vanessa Timmons sits on the National Network to End Domestic Violence’s board of directors and policy committee.
Oregon Women’s Equity Coalition
OCADSV is a member of the Oregon Women’s Equity Coalition.