October 6, 1999

As Chair of the Marion County Board of Commissioners, I was both pleased and saddened to sign a proclamation last week declaring October Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Others statewide, including cities such as Silverton, have also taken a stand to bring awareness, education and victim support to our communities.

It is heartening that countywide there are several organizations and groups working to dispel the myths of domestic violence and bring this horrendous crime out into the open. Domestic violence is not a private matter between two people. The abuser does not have a right to inflict this violence, nor did the victim provoke it or ask for it.

The sad statistics are daunting. One in eight women has been abused in the last year, and of that group, three out of four have experienced multiple acts of violence. And, worse are the affects this horrible abuse has on the children who witness a parent, typically their mother, being abused. The affects of abuse linger a lifetime.

Although services and programs offering shelter, counseling, support groups and assistance with Temporary Restraining Orders and criminal justice support have been available in recent years, it was difficult to find them or access them. Fortunately, however, The Marion County District Attorney’s office and the Marion County Sheriff’s office have joined with other law enforcement agencies and organizations in responding to this tragedy more visibly. And, they are taking a lead role in helping the victims of domestic violence. Additionally, local law enforcement agencies in Marion County have recently turned their attention to programs that offer assistance to victims at the crime scene, and to victims who are Spanish speaking. These are major steps forward. These are good steps forward. And yet, violence seems to be everywhere.

Violent behavior headlines our news almost daily and, in spite of new and well-intentioned efforts, communities seem hard pressed to get a handle on it.

Every aspect of society today is dealing with violence. There is gang violence, road rage, violence in the workplace, violence on the athletic field and athletic court, domestic violence, violence in our churches, in our schools, and in our day cares. What has happened to us? And, what is happening to our children?

When discussing violence, much of it centers on our youth, our children. How did we come to have so many heartless, valueless, soulless, children? We adults brought these precious babies into this world. But then we dump them somewhere, anywhere. We drop them off at day cares, the neighbors, the school yard, or leave them home alone. Almost as bad, or maybe worse, we plop them in front of the television, or the video games, alone and unsupervised. And we go off to do “our thing.”

Children do not learn compassion, caring, respect for each other, values, principles, or the value of life on their own. Are we reaping what we’ve selfishly sown?

More and more, research is pointing toward the importance of the family, the importance of dads, and a two-parent family. A stable, caring, two-parent family living together is recognized as that which best nurtures growing children. It is the family unit that makes society what it is – or what it will be.

Throughout the month of October there will be many programs and opportunities to learn more about what is available to help victims, and what we can do as individuals and as communities to stop violence. A Candlelight Vigil Against Violence focusing on youth and violent relationships is set for 7 p.m. at the Oregon City High School Football Stadium. The YWCA is sponsoring Week Without Violence October 17 - 23. Programs include: “How Domestic Violence Affects the Workplace,” “Sharing Our Stories,” and “Men Speak Out Against Violence.”

For more information, please give me or my assistant, Nicole, a call at 503.588.5212