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Survivor urges Scappoose council to prioritize domestic-violence awareness and survivor-centered reforms
Summary
A Columbia County survivor and volunteer asked the council to support awareness, survivor-centered policy and to attend a community walk on Oct. 18; she said gaps in the legal and support systems re‑victimize survivors.
Colleen DeShazer, a Columbia County resident and a self-identified survivor of domestic violence, used the council’s public-comment period to urge officials to prioritize awareness, education and survivor-centered reforms.
DeShazer told council members she spent a decade in an abusive relationship and said survivors often face gaps in services and processes that lead to re‑victimization. “The problem isn't about money. The problem with domestic violence is really awareness and understanding what it is,” she said.
She asked the council to read an email she sent to members and invited councilors to join a community walk on Oct. 18. DeShazer said she had been coordinating with the county victim‑advocate and that the walk would highlight the experiences of survivors and local service gaps.
The council accepted the comment during the public-comment period; no formal action or response was recorded at the meeting.
