Local experts played a key role in rewriting a bill introduced by State Rep. Sal Esquivel, R-Medford, which originally was viewed with alarm by those who work to protect children.
The bill, recently signed into law and designed to discourage punitive or vindictive reporting of child abuse, underwent significant changes as it made its way to the governor’s desk. The changes were necessary to protect children and to assure the public that reporting suspected abuse is not only the right thing to do, it is safe for them to do so, experts say.
“This bill started out as a major disaster and a blow to child victims. But it has been reduced and narrowed to a much less harmful form,” said Ashland resident Randy Ellison, an adult survivor of child sexual abuse and board president of Oregon Advocates and Survivors in Service.
House Bill 2183, which was signed into law by Gov. John Kitzhaber in July, makes it a violation — punishable by a $720 maximum fine — to knowingly make false allegations of child abuse to police or the Department of Human Services. The state must prove that the intent of the false report is to influence child custody, visitation or child support, Ellison said.
One of the bill’s main targets was adults who use malicious allegations of abuse in bitter divorce or child custody cases, said Esquivel.
“People getting divorced can make ugly accusations,” Esquivel said. “It happens more often than you might think.”
When Esquivel and House Judiciary Co-chairman Wayne Kreiger, R-Gold Beach, initially presented their bill before the House, the proposed fine was $6,250 and the violator faced a misdemeanor criminal charge which could have resulted in jail time.
The changes are a relief to child abuse experts who said Esquivel’s bill, as written, would have had a chilling effect on a crime that is already under-reported.
Ellison testified in Salem against the proposed legislation, along with representatives from the Oregon District Attorneys Association, the Oregon Network of Child Abuse Intervention Centers, the Oregon School Employees Association, Children First and the Child Advocacy Section of the Oregon Department of Justice.
Ellison said he remains concerned the new law will be misinterpreted by the public, which could have a quelling effect on everyone from teachers to neighbors to relatives who might suspect child abuse, and be afraid to report due to misunderstandings.
The law does not punish those who might make a false reports based on honest mistakes. Only those that are due to malicious intent, Esquivel said. It was never his intent to limit reporting of actual child abuse, or cause consternation amongst child welfare experts. He also does not oppose the changes that were made to his bill, Esquivel said.
Ellison said holding people accountable for false reports is appropriate. But there was already a law on the books that made it a crime to knowingly make a false report of any crime to the police or other agency. ORS 162.375 states that initiating a false report is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a $1,250 fine and 30 days in jail. Ellison questions the need for a new law that “pulls out that one type of false reporting and makes it a violation,” he said.
“They wanted to call attention to it,” Ellison said, adding he remains concerned about the potential fallout for mothers trying to protect their children from an abusive father.
“Basically this is a bill designed to protect husbands in divorce cases,” Ellison said. “This is a bill written by men for men.”
There could be unintended consequence of keeping children trapped in abusive situations because adults are fearful of making a report that, while true, might not be able to be proven, he said.
“If a woman is out and away from an abuser, it may be the first time ever she feels safe to report (her partner committed child abuse),” Ellison said. Esquivel’s bill had the support of at least one Oregon senator. According to news reports, Sen. Jeff Kruse, R-Roseburg, testified he was once the victim of a trumped-up claim of child abuse.
Ellison said he had sympathy and empathy for anyone victimized because of a false report of abuse. But statistics show child abuse is the most under-reported crime next to domestic abuse, he said.
People should not be worrying about being wrong when deciding to report or not, Ellison said. People need to report suspected abuse. If people are in doubt, they should err on the side of reporting, he said.
Esquivel said he encourages people to report child abuse.
“You won’t get in trouble unless you have malicious intent,” Esquivel said.
Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 541-776-4497 or email sspecht@mailtribune.com.
Medford Mail Tribune
Just when it seemed we were starting to “get it” on child sexual abuse, along comes a court trial that reminds us just how far we have to go. Last week in Jackson County, Circuit Judge Tim Barnack allowed a 10-year-old child to be revictimized.
First, the girl was repeatedly characterized as precocious and attention-starved. I have two granddaughters and I would describe both of them as precocious and they definitely seek adult attention. “Watch this, papa.” “Will you play with me, papa?” It takes a pretty sick mind to view this normal child behavior as an opening for sexual advance, much less use it as a defense in a court of law.
This next part is so unbelievable as to defy reason. Judge Tim Barnack allowed the bed the girl has stated she was abused on to be brought into court, and she is told to stand beside it and show what happened to her.
WHAT? I really want someone to say this didn’t really happen in Medford, Ore. But it did. The judge, the prosecutor, the defense attorney and observers all sat and watched a 10-year-old girl, holding her doll, stand next to the mattress as the defense attorney re-enacted her abuse in open court. Then the defense attorney described the 10-year-old child’s overt trauma as an “act” and says she has never been traumatized by anything in this case. Somebody needs to check this man for a pulse! This is far worse than reality TV; at least they have censors.
Is this really the standard we want for dealing with accusations of child abuse? When a child gets the strength to come forward and report alleged sexual abuse should they have to suffer having their character attacked and be made to publicly re-enact the abuse? I sincerely hope not. The system failed this little girl. You and I failed this little girl.
In the last decade we have finally woken up to the extent of sexual abuse and exploitation of our children and are doing something about it. Now it’s time to bring our legal system in line with our values. If we consider it morally wrong for adults to sexually abuse children, then why would it be OK for our courts to do so?
It happened once, shame on Judge Barnack and his court. If we allow it to happen again, then shame on us. This is our community and our court system. It should reflect our values and morals. If we don’t want our children to be revictimized after reporting abuse, then we, you and I, need to speak up with our voice and vote to see that it doesn’t happen again. Our judges are elected. In theory they enforce our laws, but they also have discretion. Let’s elect judges that use that discretion wisely.
Our laws are made by the state Legislature and enforced by our attorney general. We can contact Sen. Alan Bates and Attorney General John Kroger to make sure this is not allowed in the future and ask them to make sure it isn’t.
With 20 percent of our children suffering sexual abuse, we know we have done a lousy job of protecting them. Now that we are beginning to understand that fact and the impact of abuse, let’s take the next step. Let’s open our ears and hearts to the suffering these child victims are enduring and do what we can to ease their pain and the difficulty of reporting the abuse.
I know we can do better. For the sake of our children we must do better.
For Immediate Release
May 10, 2011
For More Information
Klarissa Oh: (503) 274.1179
PORTLAND—OAASIS, Oregon Abuse Advocates and Survivors in Service, announced today that it has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the Ms. Foundation for Women as part of a groundbreaking effort to end child sexual abuse across the United States.
OAASIS is one of 15 grantees selected by the Ms. Foundation from among 250 submissions. Together, this new cohort of grantees was awarded a total of $600,000 in grants—a significant contribution to the field of child sexual abuse prevention. The awardees—local, state and national groups based in 14 states across the country—include faith-based, arts, domestic violence and survivor-led groups as well as sexual assault coalitions and child abuse prevention organizations.
OAASIS is a grassroots organization made up of survivors and family members of survivors who are committed to protecting children from sexual abuse and empowering survivors of child sexual abuse through public awareness, education, and advocacy. With the grant and support of the Ms. Foundation, OAASIS will expand their Survivors’ Speakers Bureau; organize a statewide conference to bring together child sexual abuse experts and survivors; conduct a survey on survivors and service providers to inform our policy goals, and continue to educate and engage the community in advocating for public policy that protects children.
Monique Hoeflinger, senior program officer at the Ms. Foundation for Women explains, “In awarding these funds, we are proud to support an emerging movement to end child sexual abuse that is taking root nationwide…these organizations are pursuing innovative strategies to engage families, communities and policymakers to end child sexual abuse once and for all.”
To learn more, please visit OAASIS’ website at www.oaasisoregon.org or call 503.274.1179.
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For Immediate Release
May 10, 2011
For More Information
Klarissa Oh: (503) 274.1179
PORTLAND—OAASIS, Oregon Abuse Advocates and Survivors in Service, announced today that it has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the Ms. Foundation for Women as part of a groundbreaking effort to end child sexual abuse across the United States.
OAASIS is one of 15 grantees selected by the Ms. Foundation from among 250 submissions. Together, this new cohort of grantees was awarded a total of $600,000 in grants—a significant contribution to the field of child sexual abuse prevention. The awardees—local, state and national groups based in 14 states across the country—include faith-based, arts, domestic violence and survivor-led groups as well as sexual assault coalitions and child abuse prevention organizations.
OAASIS is a grassroots organization made up of survivors and family members of survivors who are committed to protecting children from sexual abuse and empowering survivors of child sexual abuse through public awareness, education, and advocacy. With the grant and support of the Ms. Foundation, OAASIS will expand their Survivors’ Speakers Bureau; organize a statewide conference to bring together child sexual abuse experts and survivors; conduct a survey on survivors and service providers to inform our policy goals, and continue to educate and engage the community in advocating for public policy that protects children.
Monique Hoeflinger, senior program officer at the Ms. Foundation for Women explains, “In awarding these funds, we are proud to support an emerging movement to end child sexual abuse that is taking root nationwide…these organizations are pursuing innovative strategies to engage families, communities and policymakers to end child sexual abuse once and for all.”
To learn more, please visit OAASIS’ website at www.oaasisoregon.org or call 503.274.1179.
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KIDS Center Hosts Annual ‘Healing Hearts’ Luncheon
By Homa Quazilbash
May 5, 2011
KTVZ.COM
BEND, Ore. — More than 500 community members gathered in Bend Wednesday afternoon to speak out against child sex abuse — and hold the biggest fund-raiser of the year for an organization that tackles the problem every day.
It was the third annual ‘Healing Hearts’ luncheon hosted by the KIDS Center at the Riverhouse Convention Center.
Guests heard from speaker — and sex abuse survivor — Randy Ellison about his experience, and what he now calls his mission.
“I was abused by my minister as a teenager and it went on for several years,” Ellison said. “Then I kind of buried it away and went on with my life — got heavily involved in alcohol, drugs, those distortions.”"I wasn’t the kind of husband I would have liked to have been, the father I would have liked to been. You bury something that major, it distorts everything in your life,” Ellison added.
Volunteers and workers at the KIDS Center were busy counting pledge cards well into the day. In the past, the event has raised more than $50,000 for the KIDS (Kids Intervention and Diagnostic Service) Center, which is a 21 Cares for Kids partner.
The non-profit is not funded by the government and gets only a small portion of its budget from the state, so most of it is from community outreach, like Wednesday’s event.Just this year, the KIDS Center has already seen nearly 500 kids come through its doors in need of medical evaluations and therapy.
By Randy Ellison
OregonLive.com
Wednesday, April 13 2011
The intent of House Bill 3057 is to eliminate the criminal statute of limitations on felony sex crimes committed by an adult against a minor. Thirteen other states have no statute of limitations on this heinous crime. They treat it the same as murder, and if you are a survivor of such a crime, you understand why.
Studies have shown that most victims of sexual abuse don’t tell anyone what happened to them for years, if ever. Often, it’s only after years of therapy that they feel able to report what happened. One study states that the average age for reporting child sexual abuse is 42.
Under current law, 12 years after such a crime is first reported, or once the victim turns 30, society tells the perpetrator that what he or she did to a child is no longer important to us. And we tell the victim you were supposed to be able to deal with this sooner and since you didn’t, we’re sorry but we need to protect the rights of the abuser to come to trial sooner. Even though you most likely will suffer the rest of your life.
Opponents of changing the law say it’s not fair to eliminate the statute of limitations, because memories fade, witnesses die and an accused won’t be able to mount a defense. In criminal law, the prosecution bears the heavy burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If the evidence is not available and strong, no prosecutor will bring charges.
Our prisons are full of survivors of child sexual abuse. Our alcohol and drug clinics are full of them. And our mental health facilities are full of them, too. What would our culture look like if we addressed the problem of child sexual abuse head on? What happens if survivors talk about what happened to them and gain access to their souls again? What if we stem the tide of new victims? Of the 50,000 new babies born in Oregon each year, we can expect 10,000 of them to be sexually abused before they turn 18. We can leave the system the way it is and create future dysfunctional adults every day, or we can say enough is enough. We have the opportunity to decide which future we want.
HB3057 is the equivalent of an emancipation proclamation to survivors of sexual abuse by taking the yoke of shame off victims and putting it where it belongs. Survivors will no longer be held responsible by society for the crimes committed against them.
Due to a combination of shame, fear and dissociation, I first told about my abuse when I was 57. Believe me when I say I didn’t “wait” to tell. Partially due to what is called the grooming process, I didn’t even comprehend that a crime had been committed against me by my minister, friend and mentor until I had been in therapy for several months.
We can have laws that support and protect our children, or ones that defend perpetrators. It’s time to make our laws match our values.
Randy Ellison of Ashland is president of Oregon Abuse Advocates and Survivors in Service and a member of the Child Abuse Network in Medford.
April 23, 2010
Portland, Ore—A jury today found the Boy Scouts of America liable for punitive damages for the sexual abuse of a then 12 year old boy in the 1980’s, returning a verdict of $18.5million in punitive damages—having last week returned a verdict of $ 1.4 in general compensatory damages. The trial lasted nearly 6 weeks. Under Oregon law, 60% of a punitive damages award goes to the State of Oregon crime victims’ fund—since the public policy purpose of punitive damages is to improve community safety.
“This is a tremendous win and a vindication of the truth about what happened to this boy,” said trial attorneys Kelly Clark and Paul Mones, co-counsel for the plaintiff, in a prepared statement. “The lessons of this case are that it is wrong for a youth organization to put the interests of the organization before the safety of the children,” they added. “Child abuse is always a devastating poison in the soul of any child, and this jury clearly recognized the profound impact that this abuse had on this young boy, and wanted to send a signal that a jury in Portland, Oregon will not tolerate any youth organization—even the venerated Boy Scouts of America—that keeps secrets about dangers to children. We are very proud of him for standing up for himself and for all abuse victims. If one child is saved from abuse because of this trial, it will be a win with lasting significance.”
The plaintiff, Kerry Lewis, now 38, had been known before the trial only as “Jack Doe 4”—there are a total of 6 men who are suing for abuse by the same perpetrator—but during the trial, he allowed his name to be used publicly. He was abused on 6 separate occasions when he was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout, at age 10-12. “I’m grateful for the chance to tell my story,” he said, “and it was bottled up inside me for too long. Now I get to go on and finish my healing. This trial was a great way to start the process of putting all this behind me, so I can focus on being a good man, a good friend, and a good father.”
Highlights of the trial included the presentation, for the first time before any jury, of over 1000 confidential files—totaling nearly 20,000 pages of documents—concerning adult Scout leaders from 1965-85 who had been accused of abusing Scouts. The trial court had ordered the documents produced in December, but the Scouts appealed to the Oregon Supreme Court, which on Feb 19 refused to hear the appeal or to block the order. The BSA finally produced the documents on March 2, and the trial commenced on March 15.
“When it came to child sexual abuse, the BSA motto was not ‘be prepared’ but rather was ‘be quiet,’” Clark and Mones commented. The plaintiff argued that the confidentiality of these sexual abuse files, and the refusal of the Scouts to warn parents of the known dangers of abuse in Scouting, amounted to a cover-up, driven by the BSA’s desire to keep up its membership. In that regard, the plaintiff produced a surprise witness during the last week of the main trial, Larry O’Connor, a lifelong Scouter from Alaska and a former professional Scout executive, who testified that, throughout the 1970’s the BSA deliberately inflated membership numbers all over the country through a mechanism called “ghost units”—Scout Troops that only existed on paper. The inflated numbers, Clark and Mones argued, was evidence of the motive for covering up the abuse problem—the desire not to lose members and financial support. In closing argument, Clark compared this to the cover-up in the Catholic Church of sex abuse by pedophile priests.
The plaintiff’s case also included evidence about what other youth organizations were doing in the 1980’s to protect children, especially the Big Brothers and Sisters, which had aggressive child abuse training and education programs in place by the 1980’s, while the Boy Scouts of America had not begun similar programs. The plaintiff had been abused in 83 and 84 by an Assistant Scoutmaster named Timur Dykes, despite that Dykes had admitted to Troop leaders in January 1983 that he had molested 17 Scouts. The plaintiff’s parents were never warned about his dangerousness, and that failure, according to plaintiff’s attorneys, led to further abuse, including of plaintiff.
The punitive damages phase of the trial highlighted the BSA’s surprisingly rich financial statements—with nearly $1 billion in assets, including $660 million in unrestricted funds, annual revenues of $400 million, and a $45 million art collection. The plaintiff’s lawyers during the punitive damages phase of the trial highlighted lavish spending within the top brass of BSA, including the salary of the Chief Scout Executive, who earns a total compensation of $1.2 million annually.
The next of the five remaining trials against the BSA and its Cascade Pacific Council in Portland is not yet scheduled, but Clark said that he expects it will happen in the Fall of this year.
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To arrange for interviews with attorneys Kelly Clark and/or Paul Mones, please contact
Rebecca Tweed, Media Relations Director at:
(503) 860-6033 or Rebecca@tweedandassociates.com
After keeping his secret for more than 40 years, Randy Ellison now is ‘willing to be the face of male sexual abuse victims’.
By Sanne Specht
Ashland contractor Randy Ellison never told a soul what the preacher did to him. Not when the sexual abuse started. Not when it ended. Not even when the fallout nearly destroyed his life.
“My secret became shrouded in guilt and shame,” Ellison said. “I questioned life and had regular thoughts of suicide until I was 30.”
Ellison was 15 when a charismatic youth minister began sexually abusing him. For more than 40 years, Ellison remained silent about the devastation wrought by the trusted leader in his community — a 40-year-old married man with children of his own.
“My life was taken totally off track,” said Ellison, 59. “You don’t just move on from sexual abuse as a child. Not without help.”
Statistics show that one in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused before their 18th birthday, said Marlene Mish, director of the Children’s Advocacy Center. It is estimated that at least 39 million Americans are survivors of child sexual abuse. Using that number, one can estimate that more than 25,000 residents of Jackson County were victims of child sexual abuse, she said.
Male victims of sexual abuse live lives that are broken in ways others cannot even imagine, Ellison said.
“We live in a world of guilt, shame and secrets,” he said. “Many of us find we are uncomfortable in our own skin. And yet we do not even know why. Most victims never tell a soul what happened to them. Many never admit it to themselves.”
Ellison remembers the 1960s as an era filled with folk music, peace, love and idealism. It was Ellison’s mother who insisted he attend the popular church. Ellison was not to become “crude” or “a drinker,” like his father. She wanted the minister to provide an upstanding male role model for her impressionable young son.
“Somehow in between this, he insinuated himself and his perversions. Perversions he disguised as love,” said Ellison.
Secrecy and shame are two powerful psychological weapons pedophiles wield to keep their victims silent. While it is hard for any child to speak about sexual abuse, it can be particularly difficult for boys because they face greater social stigma. Boys often question their own sexuality and often are rejected by the males within their own families, she said.
“There are pretty good reasons why boys don’t tell,” said Mish.
Ellison’s willingness to tell his own story of abuse, survival and evolution to become a victims’ advocate “takes incredible courage,” she said.
“I have a lot of respect for him,” Mish said.
Ellison chooses not to discuss graphic details of his abuse. He doesn’t know why it started, or even why it ended. He simply tried to “lock it all away,” he said.
“People get all hung up on what happened and how it happened,” said Ellison. “But that’s not what it’s about. It’s about what it does to you. The distortions that it makes in your life. What a relationship, sex and love come to mean.”
Ellison’s mother died a few months after he married at age 20. He and his wife of 38 years, Helen, had two daughters and now have several grandchildren. Throughout the ensuing decades, Ellison kept his secret locked inside himself.
“I neither trusted nor confided in anyone,” he said.
Ellison also became hardened toward himself. He buried his vulnerabilities.
“I needed to be in control at all times,” he said. “I was a rigid and minimally involved father, and a distant partner to my wife. Even though I stayed married with a family, I lived my life mostly alone.”
Ellison quit his job as a lumber wholesaler and moved his family to Ashland in 1999.
“I’ve had five different major careers in five different cities and have moved my family to 18 different homes,” he said.
Ellison increasingly turned to mood-altering substances to cope. He eventually became “a full-blown alcoholic and drug addict,” he said.
Over 80 percent of child abuse victims are or have been addicted to alcohol or drugs. Many suffer from post-traumatic stress syndrome, said Mish.
Ellison said the invisible victims of child sexual abuse are our collective family members. We go to church with them. We sit on boards with them. We stand in line at the grocery store with them. We see them at the gym.
“You do not see that most of us are totally incapable of something as basic as trust of another human being,” he said.
Three years ago, Ellison’s teen grandson was experiencing emotional difficulties in the aftermath of a divorce. Ellison realized that to help his grandson, he would have to face his own fears.
Ellison’s first step toward reclaiming his soul was telling another minister about his past abuse. His next step was finding a counselor who specializes in helping victims of sexual abuse.
“I went to counseling for three months before I could actually say I was sexually abused by my minister and name him as a predator,” said Ellison.
Six months later Ellison filed a formal complaint with the church that led to his abuser being defrocked.
“But it was obvious to me the church still didn’t get it,” Ellison said.
He filed a lawsuit with the church and settled out of court. The frustrating experience included a fair amount of revictimization, said Ellison. His suit was settled in mediation for an undisclosed amount — as well as a couple of private meetings with the church bishop.
“I believe that (the bishop) and I laid the groundwork for more understanding between the church and future victims, as well as the beginning of some concrete programs where the church will play a major role in increasing awareness and educating members about child sexual abuse,” Ellison said.
Ellison continues to work to heal himself and his relationships with his family members.
He also wants to change the legal system to “make it easier for the victims and harder on the perpetrators,” he said. Last year, Ellison told his story publicly for the first time when he testified before the Oregon Senate Judiciary Committee. Last week, he spoke before the Jackson County commissioners. On Wednesday, Ellison will speak at a noontime rally in Medford’s Vogel Plaza sponsored by the Jackson County Child Abuse Network.
“My goal is to make a difference,” Ellison said. “I have made a commitment to myself that I am willing to be the face of male sexual abuse victims.”
Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 541-776-4497 or e-mail sspecht@mailtribune.com.
Event Details:
What: Rally in support of creating a safe community for children
When: Noon, Wednesday, April 14
Where: Vogel Plaza, at the corner of Central Avenue and Main Street, Medford. Participants are asked to wear blue.
Sponsored by: Jackson County Child Abuse Network
By Randy Ellison
Guest Columnist for the Attorney General’s Sexual Abuse Task Force
It all started when a mother walked into the office of Rep. Andy Olson. She was frustrated and angry over her daughters’ inability to seek justice for her sexual abuse as a child because the statute of limitations ran out before she even told anyone it had happened. Rep. Olson was so moved that he gathered the forces and wrote HB 2827. Not satisfied to quit there, the mother drove to Ashland and walked from one end of Oregon to the other. She wore a bright yellow t-shirt lettered in black that said “Stop Sexual Abuse of Children”. Truckers honked. People stopped to talk to her. Newspapers and TV news interviewed her along the way. It took her a month and she did it all wearing a wig and using the alias Joan. She wanted her daughter to be able to remain anonymous and was afraid of reprisal by the perpetrator.
This woman’s courage brought other victims forward to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Their personal stories of tragedy overshadowed the institutional objections to an extended period of liability. The final impetus that pushed this bill over the top came on the floor of the Senate where Senator Vickie Walker gave a courageous and impassioned speech describing her personal experience with child sex abuse.
The law changes the civil statute of limitations for action based on conduct that constitutes child abuse or conduct knowingly allowing, permitting or encouraging child abuse. Additionally, the bill requires that an action must be started before the victim attains 40 years of age, or not more than 5 years from the date the claimant discovered, or in the exercise of reasonable care, should have discovered a connection between the child abuse and injury, whichever period is longer.
These extensions in the statute of limitations provide an avenue for victims to seek justice after coming to terms with their abuse, which commonly happens later in life. Many of the victims and friends that gathered to help pass this bill have joined together to form a new non-profit called Oregon Abuse Advocates and Survivors in Service, OAASIS (www.oaasisoregon.org). They hope to help survivors, increase public awareness and advocate for stronger public policies and laws aimed at preventing child sexual abuse and protecting victims’ rights.
Reverend Martin Luther King refers to the “community largely adjusted to the status quo, standing as a taillight behind others rather than a headlight leading (us) to higher levels of justice. Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice or the extension of justice?” Thank you to the members of our State Legislature who moved this bill, especially Rep. Olson, the victims that spoke their truth, and most of all to the mother “Joan” for showing us how to be extremists for justice and becoming headlights.
Randy Ellison is a survivor from Ashland, who is starting a new career as a victim’s advocate. One of his new roles is as director of the Oregon Abuse Advocates and Survivors in Service (OAASIS) PAC. He can be reached at hrellison@ashlandnet.net. For more information about OAASIS visit their website at http://oaasisoregon.org/
Human trafficking industry thrives in Portland metro area
By Nicole Hanna-Jones
January 9, 2010
Oregonlive.com
Six posters of missing children from the metro area — five girls and one boy — were tacked to the wall of the Jantzen Beach hotel banquet room, a silent reminder of why more than 500 participants from 10 states had gathered Saturday.
One of three missing teens who ends up on the streets will be lured or forced into prostitution within 48 hours, according to national estimates. The annual Northwest Conference Against Human Trafficking hoped to bring a sense of urgency to the problem and capitalize on a recent local and national push to fight domestic human trafficking.
Oregon, advocates and law enforcement officials say, is a growing hub for forced prostitution and servitude. Just last week, a Portland man was arraigned in Multnomah County Circuit Court on suspicion of prostituting a 14-year-old relative.
Still, many Americans believe human trafficking to be an international phenomenon.
“I, like so many others, thought that trafficking was a problem that plagued other countries like Thailand and India, but was oblivious to what was happening right here in our backyard,” said Multnomah County Commissioner Diane McKeel, who is spearheading the county’s efforts to combat human trafficking and open a shelter for sexual trafficking victims.
Portland has become a center for human trafficking for several reasons, said Keith Bickford, a Multnomah County sheriff’s detective who heads the Oregon Human Trafficking Task Force.
The city’s proximity to Interstates 5 and 84 as well as two rivers is attractive to traffickers, as is lax sexual trafficking enforcement laws, a legal sex industry, a large population of street kids and Oregon’s dependence on seasonal farmworkers, Bickford said.
Yet, the state keeps no data on victims of sexual trafficking, Bickford said, making it difficult to accurately assess the depth of the problem and get adequate resources.
About 300,000 American youths are trafficked for sexual exploitation, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. During a one-night national sting involving 29 cities last February, law enforcement officers picked up seven underage girls involved in prostitution in Portland — more than any other city besides Seattle. They also picked up six adult pimps in Portland and cited 14 adult prostitutes.
Still, many at the conference said a collective national denial of the issue remains.
“What we’re about in the U.S., we’re willing to jump out there and save the world but we won’t look under our own rocks because it’s embarrassing,” Bickford said after giving a presentation on the work he’s doing with the task force.
Multnomah County has hundreds of human trafficking cases involving both people born in the United States and immigrants often brought or coerced here from other countries. His caseload is divided equally between those trafficked for sexual exploitation (mostly people from the U.S.) and those trafficked for labor (mostly immigrants), he said.
Other speakers at the conference said public officials are starting to take notice of the long-hidden crime.
Last month, U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., introduced a bill along with Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, to help victims of sexual trafficking and provide more enforcement power against traffickers. The bill would fund pilot projects in six states to establish shelters for victims and provide counseling, legal aid, education and job training, as well as fund additional police officers and prosecutors.
“I want to see us start a national mobilization,” Wyden said after giving a brief speech about his bill. “It’s fair to say that in the past there’s been the sense that Oregon is not the kind of place you would see this. There’s no denial now and people are ready to go.”
A shelter to help victims escape exploitation is the greatest need in Portland, said Esther Nelson of the Sexual Assault Resource Center. The lack of a safe place makes it difficult to help people, she said, and impedes law enforcement efforts because victims often disappear.
Multnomah County and Portland officials have committed to finding money to open a shelter here, though they have no time line.
“We can’t do much more without a shelter,” Nelson said.