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.
|
|
