Victim Assistance

The staff of the District Attorney's Office is committed to successfully prosecuting and convicting guilty offenders who commit crimes in our community. We are also committed to treating victims with respect. For instance, we request that the courts order convicted offenders to pay restitution for the financial losses suffered by the victims.

Unfortunately, once the crime has occurred, there is nothing that can be done to prevent the pain and loss already experienced by each victim. It is our goal, however, to prevent additional harm to the victim which can occur in the complicated and sometimes confusing criminal justice system. To accomplish these tasks, we are indebted to community volunteers who provide time and efforts to assist crime victims.

Crime is a community problem which requires community involvement for any adequate solution. We are always interested in comments and feedback concerning our services and actions. If you are a crime victim who has a question about the criminal case, I encourage you to call for assistance.

Several times throughout the year we recruit and train additional community volunteers. If you have a desire to help crime victims and are willing to commit some of your time, please call for information. The volunteer application is also available online. Crime can be an overwhelming and devastating problem. With the help of our community we can make a positive difference - one case at a time.

Paige Clarkson​, District Attorney​

In 1981, the Marion County District Attorney established the Victim Assistance Division. Over the years, our program has grown in it's mission and contributions to the community. We are proud to work closely with more than fifty volunteers in providing services to victims of violent crimes in Marion County.

Our commitment to victims is embodied in our program mission to involve crime victims and the community in a healing process that lessens the impact of crime. We fulfill this mission by:

• Providing direct victim services
• Advocating for victim rights
• Offering volunteer opportunities
• Providing education and promote public awareness
• Promoting professional and agency communication

Although the Victim Assistance Division is specifically charged with providing services to victims, every District Attorney staff member is committed to treating victims with dignity and respect. As an office, we believe that victims have a right to fair treatment. We have implemented procedures to advise victims of their rights and to keep victims apprised of the status of the case in which they were victimized.

We are committed to interagency collaboration that will directly benefit crime victims. Members of the VAD staff participate in such groups as the Domestic Violence Council, the Homicide/Assault Response Team (HART), the Multidisciplinary Child Abuse and Fatality Review Team, the Attorney General's Sexual Assault Task Force and the Attorney General's Victims' Rights Task Force.

We are committed to promoting a broader understanding of the victimization experience. Staff members conduct numerous public presentations and training sessions for diverse audiences throughout the state. We believe that through a concerted effort to publicly address the victimization experience, we can make a positive impact on the way victims are treated by the justice and social service systems, as well as by the community at large.

Although much has been accomplished on behalf of victims, we recognize that there is still a lot of work to do. In everything we do, we renew our pledge to keep victim's concerns at the top of the agenda for the justice system.

Civil Rights Statement

Marion County Victim Assistance Division, ​operates its program, services and activities in compliance with federal nondiscrimination laws. No person shall, on the basis of race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), disability, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or age, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any of our programs.  ​

To file a complaint of discrimination, write Office of Civil Rights, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice (OCR), 810 7^th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20531 or call 202-307-0690 (Voice) or 202-307-2027 (TDD/TTY). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may also contact OCR through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339 (TTY), 877-877-8982 (Speech) or 800-845-6136 (Spanish).​

We provide support through the prosecution of a case for victims of child abuse, stalking, elder abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence and homicide. We also provide services to victims of other types of violent and traumatic crimes. 

All victims of crimes being prosecuted by the District Attorney's Office receive: information about their rights as victims; opportunity to submit information about their losses for restitution; a victim impact statement questionnaire that enables them to make a statement to the court in the event of a conviction; and notification letters on the case status and disposition. We also assist victims in applying for Crime Victims' Compensation through the State of Oregon, Department of Justice.