Director's Message

Oct. 5, 2007

To: All DHS employees

From: Bruce Goldberg, M.D., director

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"Happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length."
~Robert Frost

A few days ago I walked into our building and was stopped in my tracks by a riveting display. The lobby was filled with life-size silhouettes, each with a description of the person who died. It's a powerful reminder of the many lives that have been stopped by domestic violence

Most of the silhouettes are of adult women. Some of are of children and teens, one is of a man, and one is of a woman in a wheelchair. Some represent specific victims. Others represent groups -- elderly women, disabled individuals. And one represents the first person in Oregon whose death was attributed to domestic violence, who died in 1936.

The stories are heart-rending, and show more clearly than words alone that every statistic is made up of real people.

This month -- Domestic Violence Awareness Month -- we are reminded of how important safety is, and how easily it can be stripped away.

Those of you who work with victims of domestic violence hear these stories every day. And you know the statistics these stories represent -- that Oregon's domestic and sexual violence programs serve nearly 50,000 adults, teens and children each year. That Oregon's programs are able to provide shelter to only half of the approximately 12,000 adults and children who seek shelter from violent homes and relationships. And that one in four homeless mothers became homeless as a result of domestic violence.

Our staff work hard to prevent and end domestic violence. Many of our programs are designed to strengthen families through early interventions to prevent violence from developing. This includes providing mental health and addictions treatment, supplying food stamps and financial assistance, and arranging access to medical care -- all designed to eliminate the stressors that can lead to domestic violence in at-risk families.

The effects of domestic violence are horrible. Everyone has the right to live and work in a safe environment, and I applaud those of you who dedicate each day to making people safe. By stepping in to help stabilize families and individuals before problems start, we make it possible for ever more people to lead lives that are independent, healthy and safe.

My thanks to all of you who are involved in this effort.

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This message is intended for all department employees. Please read it electronically, if possible. Managers and supervisors are asked to share the message each week with employees who do not have email access.