Oregon Crime Victims Law Center

Crime not only impacts victims and their families but also our communities. Think of how many people you know who have been directly touched by crime – yourself possibly one of them. Supporting victims through the criminal justice system can therefore reduce the impact of crime at both an individual and a collective level.

Victims suffer immediate physical and emotional damage as a result of the crime. However, the victimization doesn't stop when the actual crime is over. The suffering and effects from being a crime victim can continue throughout the criminal justice process and thereafter, especially for those who have been victims of a violent crime.

How OCVLC helps crime victims - a vignette of stories (names have been changed to protect victims' privacy) 

Bailey's story

An OCVLC attorney was retained by the parents of 5 year old Bailey who had been raped by a relative. The prosecutor assigned to the case had not met with the victim’s family and the family felt that their constitutional right to be consulted about plea negotiations was being violated. The OCVLC attorney was able to meet with the prosecutor and the juvenile department (the defendant was a minor), present a list of probation conditions that the family was requesting, assure that Bailey would be protected from the defendant in the future, and ensure that Bailey’s parents would receive notification of further proceedings. The attorney also assisted Bailey’s parents in preparing a victim impact statement for sentencing, and appeared at sentencing in support.

Drew's story

OCVLC agreed to help Drew, a stalking victim, with the legal issue of clarifying Drew’s Stalking Protective Order, originally granted years before. Since that time, due to court error on the original judgment, it had become unclear whether the order was permanent and should be entered into law enforcement databases. OCVLC filed a motion to correct the judgment on Drew’s behalf, and the Court granted the motion and signed a new, corrected, permanent Stalking Protective Order.

Kate's story

Kate, a minor, was sexually assaulted. Kate's mother retained OCVLC to assert her and her daughter's constitutional right to refuse a defense discovery request or interview. They had asserted her right to refuse a defense interview, but they continued to be contacted by the defense attorney’s investigator. OCVLC sent letters to the attorney and his investigator, making clear that the victims had asserted their right to refuse an interview, that the victims did not want to speak with them or be contacted in any manner, and that continued violations of this right would result in asking the court to sanction the attorney. The contact stopped. 

Rachel's story

Rachel who had also obtained a restraining order requested help with an upcoming contested restraining order. OCVLC represented Rachel in the restraining order case and also helped her through the process of the defendant pleading guilty in the criminal case, by helping her assert her right to speak at that critical stage hearing. After pleading guilty, the defendant withdrew his request for a contested restraining order hearing.

Tracy's story

Tracy, a victim of domestic violence, sought assistance from OCVLC to terminate her apartment lease early. Because she lived with her abuser, Tracy needed to leave the apartment for her safety. Tracy's landlord told her she would be required to pay a termination fee as well as several months rent before the lease would be terminated. Under Oregon law, a domestic violence victim has the ability to terminate a lease without a termination fee if certain conditions are met. OCVLC assisted Tracy in getting her lease terminated with no penalty.

These are just a few of the many success stories about victims for whom we advocate. 

Together we can make a wrong into a right!   

By donating to the Oregon Crime Victims Law Center, you can make a difference in the life of a crime victim; you can make a wrong into a right; effect justice where an injustice has been done. In supporting the Oregon Crime Victims Law Center and the crime victims we serve, you help send a powerful message to others about the kind of values you cherish and as a community we should uphold.