The following quotes are from comments written on the postcards by Oregonians who participated in the campaign to increase amount allocated by the legislature to the ODSVS Fund.
“The Oasis shelter has been my savior! Please keep this fund going for other women may have the chance of a new life as I have. Thank You.”
“The crisis center has been my Life Line!” Survivor from Tillamook County
“My mother was an abused woman, my little granddaughter was sexually abused. I am involved in Oasis Shelter to help others that have no place to go.”
“My wife is a survivor – Please do not cut services – We need more money. It affects our whole society.”
“As a survivor of domestic and sexual violence, I have a personal reason for insisting that the funds for programs that helped me be supported by our legislators. There are many more out there like me.” Survivor from Washington County
“I am a survivor of DV/Rape & without services would probably be dead – please do not cut – we need more money.”
“We need to invest in the lives of Oregonians.”
“I was molested every day for 2 years when I was 5 & 6 years old and it set the tone for a life of drug addiction and living in a cage. Thank You for your help with this!” Prisoner at Oregon State Penitentiary
“As a woman and teacher I find it deeply troubling that we have so little available for people who so desperately need it! There is no option! Please Help!!”
“I would not be alive today if Klamath Crisis Center was not there.” Survivor in Klamath Falls area
“Everyday I see people around the state w/ disabilities who are abused & desperately need these services.”
“Please, we need shelters to Break the cycle, before it gets worse!”
“I sign this as a woman who has been personally (& deeply) affected by the lack of shelter space for my children & self.”
“Fight the war on terror that goes on in our homes everyday.” Domestic and sexual violence advocate from Bend
“Immigrant and refugee women are in serious need of culturally specific services and have nowhere else to turn.”
“I wouldn’t be alive w/o the crisis center.” Survivor from Klamath Falls
“Thank you for serving – For giving me/us in Oregon Department of Corrections the opportunity to help. We pray for you/our relations in good ways.” Prisoner at Oregon State Penitentiary
“Everyone should have access to safety and shouldn’t have to be turned away from shelter when they desperately need it – Please help fund this basic human right! Thank you!”
“As a Native American woman I am requesting greater services to begin to meet the need in my community.”
“Invest in safe communities and human potential, it’ll pay, I guarantee!”
“The women and children who call the shelters for help are not safe. Without the additional funding, many will return to violent homes.” Executive Director of Portland domestic violence agency
“The crisis center has helped me & many of my friends and family.” Survivor from Tillamook County
“The women’s crisis center completely changed my life from being hurt every nite to having Peace and no violence in my life.” Survivor from Tillamook County
“I am the parent of three girls and I want the state of Oregon to take DV & SA more seriously!!”
“Domestic violence & sexual assault are terrorism @ its worse.”
“I have 2 adult daughters – both have experienced violence – Never let anyone be turned away from a shelter.” Mother in Eugene
“The crisis center has completely changed my life.” Survivor from Tillamook County
“I’ve been abused for over 14 years and have lived in fear.” Survivor from Southern Oregon
“Intervention between escalating violence can diffuse and prevent murder and court.”
“I sought out a shelter in Eugene, Christmas Eve 1981, and it changed the direction of my life and my child. I don’t know what else would happen if I didn’t have the choice.” Survivor in Eugene
“Having grown up in a home with domestic violence, I know the need exists and is critical. Please help protect people.” Adult male survivor in Salem
“As the Youth Program Coordinator at a domestic violence shelter, I have direct experience with youth who are severely traumatized by domestic violence & sexual assault….our services are imperative to ending the intergenerational cycle of violence. Our shelter turns away 9 out of 10 survivors [0] due to lack of space.”
“Please give this your utmost consideration. I have 5 young granddaughters and would like assurance that they will be protected from rape and domestic violence. This also goes for my grandsons.” Grandmother in Salem
“A recent participant in our dv program writes:
You’re there for me in any way I have needed; Housing, Support, Food, Safety Planning, Communication, Resources, and as a speaker on my behalf. Thank you from the deepest of my soul for all you have been for me and my family. Life has a new meaning and hope for us.
Every survivor in Oregon should have a path to such hope! Please increase funding to a meaningful level!” Domestic violence advocate in Portland
“As a Canby resident and a domestic violence advocate, I can tell you first hand that lack of services affects lots of women and men in our community! Every day we turn away victims because we don’t have the capacity to save them. Please take this step to make our community safer!” Canby resident and domestic violence advocate
“As a father of 6 children and a victim of a violent home as a child. Before ODSVS or DV laws. I saw first hand the need of the ODSVS funding. Give them the power to help those in serious need.” St. Helens resident
“Many of these services up front pay off Big later in law enforcement, courts, & in the safety of our communities & livability of our state.” Lincoln City domestic violence advocate
“One in six Oregon women is the victim of rape; including myself, my mother, my sister, and most of my friends.” Survivor in Portland