Abuse
exists and must be confronted and stopped.
Fewer respondents shared their thoughts on the issue of
abuse than on other subjects, but those who did comment
had strong opinions and specific strategies for change.
Many people appreciate the amount of services that exist
in Portland for individuals and families who seek services
for abuse-related issues. Existing services valued by respondents
were for domestic violence, sex abuse, child and elder abuse
and neglect and drug and alcohol addictions. Others are
certain that more services need to be offered in these focus
areas, including the abuse of animals.
People appreciate the many businesses that support services
in this field, but many people think that there should be
more support from businesses and government. They believe
that more evaluation of services needs to occur to identify
what services are missing and who is not receiving necessary
services. People also think that confronting our community’s
root causes of social issues will help alleviate the impacts
of long-term problems such as high rates and costs of jailing
youth, people of color, and those who experience poverty.
Some also suggest more services that focus on prevention
through investing in young people and children, and helping
people overcome poverty.
- Some people
value existing services for those experiencing abuse and
political support for abuse-related issues.
- People
call for more services, and new services based on best
practices, that can work to reduce the abuse in the community.
- Businesses and government
can play multiple roles in preventing abuse.
- Police abuse of power can
be another potential form of victimization.
- There should be more efforts
to target animal abuse and neglect.
- Is there a need for more services
and if so, then what should be prioritized?
-
Some people value existing services for those experiencing
abuse and political support for abuse-related issues.
- In comparison to other topics, abuse was discussed
by fewer numbers of respondents.
- Abuse can be viewed as multiple forms of violence,
whether physical, verbal, emotional, psychological,
sexual or a combination thereof.
- People express gratitude for the amount of abuse-related
services that are available to the public.
- Existing progressive politics that take hate crimes
and violence seriously make Portland seem more comfortable
and safe for groups and individuals vulnerable to
attack.
- While some people appreciate existing efforts
to curb abuse and domestic violence, they believe
even more can be done to build community-wide accountability
for reporting and preventing abuse.
| “[In
2030] …there will also be enough room in the shelters
so no children or women running from domestic
violence will have to sleep outside.” |
| “[In
2030] abused children have open group homes, with
health care, so they don’t resort to street life
and unwanted pregnancies.” |
| "[I
value] progressive politics. Safety. Why? Well...because
I am queer-identified and have a family. We appreciate
our elected officials risks to support gay marriage,
stronger sentences for those who initiate hate-crimes
(based on race as well as gender and sexual orientation)
... Additionally, I was born and raised in FL
where murders/shootings and other violent crimes
were the norm. I like that I can take walks at
night and not worry about my physical safety." |
- [In the future] “There is an accountability
within communities to report abuse, mistreatment,
extreme poverty and instead of families being ripped
apart by DHS they are aggressively educated or encouraged
to improve their situation with incentives or possibly
even voluntarily give up their children for the
greater good.”
- People
call for more services, and new services based on
best practices, that can work to reduce the abuse
in the community.
- Address safety, abuse and domestic violence issues,
including human trafficking.
- Prevent Asian women, elders, people with disabilities
and other minorities from becoming targets of abuse.
- People want to see more researched-based practices
that address the root causes of abuse.
- Some Portlanders spoke of wanting to prevent family
cycles of abuse through:
- Greater investment in young people and children
at risk for abuse and violence;
- Early childhood education and prevention programs
that emphasize stopping cycles of family abuse
and neglect; and
- An increase in poverty reduction programs.
| "I
would have the policy makers, business associations
and governmental bodies make a commitment to investing
in programs that prevent and intervene in trauma,
neglect and promote the social, emotional and
physical health of our youngest and still developing
citizens (children birth through 6 years).” |
| “Portland
has a strong Early Childhood Community. I am interested
in investment in our youngest citizens because
that is where I believe we can stop cycles of
abuse, neglect and poverty leading to a healthier
community." |
| “I
would like to see the problems of hard drug use,
child abuse and sex offenses diminished.” supports
their transition and continued self-reliance.” |
- “More being done to prevent sexual assault
on young/teenage females in public middle/high schools.
This is a huge problem that boys are inflicting
upon their peers. There should be trainings on self-defense
for teenage women. There should be abuse prevention
programs that focus on changing the mindset of boys.”
- Businesses
and government can play multiple roles in preventing
abuse.
- A small number of respondents noted that businesses
offering family-wage jobs can help build a foundation
for healthy families and communities.
- They also believe that businesses should contribute
financially to social services that address issues
of abuse.
- The government should also be responsible for
providing long-term funding to such services.
- The District Attorney’s office should have more
of a role in protecting the safety of the aging
population, women and people with disabilities.
| “More
funds for the DA office to protect elderly &
women & disabled people.” |
- Police
abuse of power can be another potential form of
victimization.
- Many people recognize the need to confront the
issue of harassment and abuse coming from local
police targeting people of color and people experiencing
poverty or homelessness.
- Racial profiling is viewed as a violation of rights
and safety of the individual, and respondents are
especially concerned for young people of color.
| "Less
police abuse. More, better schools. More drug
treatment, less prisons." |
- There
should be more efforts to target animal abuse and
neglect.
- A small number of people felt there needs to be
more emphasis placed on curbing animal abuse and
neglect.
| "...Protect
animals, women and children from abuse.” |
- Increase fines and jail time for people
convicted of animal abuse or neglect.
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