From the Oct. 16 edition of Street Roots
Now being dubbed “the Gateway Center” by domestic-violence service workers and advocates, because it will be located near 122nd Avenue and East Burnside, the center will offer an array of services, including shelter, emergency food and clothing, child care and legal resources.
“It’s the realization of a long vision,” says Kris Billhardt, the director of Volunteers of America’s Home Free program, which provides emergency and transitional services for victims of domestic violence.
On Oct. 9, during the awarding of the Judge Herrell Award for Outstanding Collaborative Efforts to End Family Violence, Billhardt looked forward to the opening of the Gateway Center in 2010, while also not forgetting the effect the recession has had on people who try to stop domestic violence, as well as those who suffer from it.
“How many stayed in abusive homes because they lost their jobs? How many experienced an escalation of violence because the abuser lost his job?” Billhardt asked during her keynote speech.
According to figures collected by the Portland Police Bureau, the city received 5,378 incident reports related to domestic violence this year. In 2006, there were a total of 6,000. Domestic violence accounts for 49 percent of all simple assaults in Portland.
The Judge Herrell Award is named in honor of Judge Herrell, who was a family-law judge in Multnomah County in the 1980s and an advocate for victims of domestic violence and their children.
This year, the award was given to Rachel Payton, an advocacy coordinator with Volunteer of America’s Home Free program, and Janet Buckmaster, a paralegal at Legal Aid Services of Portland, and the Safe Start Team, a Gresham-based multidisciplinary group working directly with the Gresham Child Welfare Office.
Street Roots talked to Payton and Buckmaster (See page next blog post) about the work they do for victims of domestic violence, the Gateway Center, and whether domestic violence is something that can be ended.
Rachel Payton
Volunteers of America’s Home Free program, which Payton works for as an advocacy coordinator, provides emergency services to victims of domestic violence, including shelter referrals, motel vouchers, children services, and support groups. The program also offers transitional services and rental assistance in an effort to help survivors find permanent housing.
As a child, Payton witnessed domestic violence firsthand. She says that her stepfather abused her mother, who also was abused by two other boyfriends. Payton says her mother was always physically protective of her, but the abuse trickled down emotionally.
Amanda Waldroupe: What led you to do the work you’re doing now?
Rachel Payton: My mom died in 1998. During the process of her passing, I knew it was time for me to do something to honor her memory. I was 22. When I started to do this work, I thought I would do it as a volunteer. But then a position opened, and it just kind of grew from there.
A.W.: How does having experienced domestic violence as you were growing up influence the work that you do?
R.P.: I think it’s always influenced the work I do. When I was young, I didn’t have a lot of power and control over what was happening. I could support my mom, but I always knew that someone would come help. I didn’t know who that somebody would be. But we’re talking about the ’70s and early ’80s, and there weren’t as many resources for domestic violence back then. I always knew that I wanted to help people. And this was close to me.
A.W.: Why do you think there is a big need for both types of services your program provides, the emergency services and more long-term services?
R.P.: Shelters are an important environment for people who have never been on their own. On the flip side of that, there are people who are fine on their own. A program like ours can wrap around their needs. Both sides of the coin get met.
A.W.: The awards ceremony emphasized collaboration and partnerships between agencies providing services to victims and survivors of domestic violence. How does that help end domestic violence in a person’s life?
R.P.: I think that the collaboration is what I feel is really key. We have one type of service. If someone is needing someplace where they can live, then, since we don’t operate a shelter, we’re not going to meet their needs. Since we end up working up with the same people, it’s important to meet their needs. There’s usually an overlap. It’s important for us to know how that system works. It works for them as well.
A.W.: How is the recession affecting domestic violence?
R.P.: I can’t speak how it’s affected domestic violence per se. There is competition in the housing market. There is more competition for jobs that used to be more easily accessible. I’m noticing an impact. I know that the people I work with, a job at McDonald’s used to be easy to get. But those jobs are getting harder to get. There is a financial impact. The cost of everything is getting higher. I’ve been working with folks a little bit longer—they’re needing a little bit extra time, help, and money to get on their feet.
A.W.: What is a success story for you?
R.P.: A success story for me is someone who identifies a goal and they get it done. It can be really small, like going to one support group, or it can be as huge as starting all over.
A.W.: But is that the story you most frequently witness?
R.P.: Usually, everybody I work with is pretty successful. It may not be the outcomes that everybody would like to see. But success is measured in small doses around here. It could be changing their phone number, or moving, or getting a restraining order.
A.W.: Why do you say everyone you work with is usually successful?
R.P.: Because our services aren’t mandated. The people I’m encountering are reaching out to us. Their goals aren’t measured by us, but by them. People who seek out services are self-selecting.
A.W.: Do you think domestic violence is something that can be ended?
R.P.: I hope it can. I think we all just keep showing up every day and put our hearts and souls into this work. I don’t know that I will be the one to see it.
A.W.: What will it take to end domestic violence?
R.P.: A lot more public awareness. People have to feel OK to talk about it. They don’t have to accept it and tolerate it. Lots of stuff to be done.
A.W.: Do you think it’s as much about personal choice as the services that are provided?
R.P.: I don’t think that anybody chooses to be abused. I don’t think that’s a choice at all. There is this accountability piece that needs to be placed on abusers, and there also need to be resources available for people who don’t want to be there. They need to know that there are options. I think it takes both.
By Amanda Waldroupe, Staff Writer