Our Beliefs

OAASIS envisions a world that empowers all people, especially children, adolescents, and adults who have experienced child sexual abuse, to live whole and authentic lives.

Our current culture too often disregards the humanity of some people; utilizes shame to control behavior; does not know how to talk about or engage around sex and sexuality in a healthy and respectful way; and presents confusing and conflicting messages around child sexual abuse, ranging from “just get over it—that was the past” to “experiencing child sexual abuse means that your life is ruined forever.”

We know that our culture can have a healthier response to child sexual abuse—one that creates greater safety and increases healing. Our culture can value the humanity in every person; engage in healthy conversations and interactions around sex and sexuality; and honor the harm done through child sexual abuse while promoting healing for survivors and the community. This is the culture that OAASIS is creating.

In OAASIS’s work, we hold the following beliefs:

1

Every child deserves a safe, loving childhood. Preventing child sexual abuse helps more kids have a strong foundation in life.

Child sexual abuse impacts a young person’s safety and security. Preventing child sexual abuse enables more children to experience the freedom, joy, laughter, and exhilaration that come from being safe and nurtured.  These are essential elements for a strong foundation that every child deserves.

2

Child sexual abuse is a community problem. The community needs to be a part of the solution.

It is more than an isolated crime between a person who harms and a person being harmed; it is influenced by our cultural beliefs, practices, and structures. Together, our communities can change those influences.

3

All people who were sexually abused as children deserve to be—and feel—safe.

Safety and healing are inextricably linked. Safety requires appropriate accountability for people who sexually abused children, as well as evidence-based treatment so people do not harm children again; access to healing for people who were sexually abused; and community investment to prevent child sexual abuse and support survivors.

4

People can heal from the trauma of child sexual abuse.

Our belief that people can heal is based on the lived experiences of countless survivors and a scientific understanding of trauma and resiliency. The paths that individual people choose to heal and create safety are unique. One path does not fit all, so OAASIS works to increase people’s access to multiple healing pathways.

5

There is deep authority in a person’s lived experience.

We believe, rely upon, honor, and trust people who have experienced child sexual abuse to provide the insight and direction on how to heal and end child sexual abuse.

6

Healthy relationships are rooted in respect and consent.

Our current culture simultaneously promotes and punishes sexuality. Entertainment media sexually idealize youth, while our culture also ascribes fear to human sexuality. Families and communities deserve greater support to help children, young people and adults understand consent and develop healthy relationships and boundaries.

7

We can change the culture around child sexual abuse.

We create positive change when people who were sexually abused as children, their family members, friends, and other loved ones, and community members speak truth to power.

We hope you’ll join us.

 

Join the Movement!

OAASIS is making an impact not only in the State of Oregon, but nationally! We are honored to collaborate with a growing national movement to end child sex abuse, and are doing our part here in Oregon. We need YOUR help!

If you’d like to join this movement, please provide us with your contact information so that we can keep you informed about what is happening to end child sex abuse in Oregon. We may occasionally call upon you to lend your voice and support when needed. Please stand with us to support survivors and protect children!