Clackamas County Family Justice Center outlines services, reports thousands served since 2013

Erin Henkelman, director of the Safe Place Family Justice Center and an employee of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, briefed the Willesville City Council on April 7 about the center’s services, partners and access options.

Henkelman told the council the center has provided individual support and advocacy to more than 7,000 survivors since 2013 and has recorded roughly 35,000 total visits for services to date. She said about 22 percent of survivors who use the center are referred by law enforcement. The center’s mission is to provide trauma‑informed, coordinated services aimed at increasing survivors’ access to legal and social services, supporting prosecutions when desired and reducing the number of steps survivors must take to get help.

The center operates as a walk‑in location on the Clackamas County campus in Oregon City. Henkelman said onsite partners number 11 and include community‑based organizations that provide crisis response, shelter and long‑term supports; the center’s largest community partner for emergency shelter is Clackamas Women’s Services. She said services are free, available to people of any age, gender or immigration status, and that language access is provided by in‑person, telephone or video interpretation with some printed materials available in Spanish and other languages through partner agencies.

Henkelman described a confidential intake and meeting environment, a protection‑order video courtroom used for remote hearings, and a family‑focused approach that includes support for children and parenting resources. She also explained how callers or family members can connect someone to services, including via the center’s website, social media, or by calling the center to request assistance on behalf of a survivor.

Councilors and attendees thanked Henkelman and asked about housing and shelter options. Henkelman said Clackamas Women’s Services operates emergency shelter and works with the county’s coordinated housing access program to connect survivors to housing. She encouraged councilors to publicize the center’s resources and to refer residents to the center as a first point of contact for domestic‑violence, stalking, trafficking and elder‑abuse concerns.

The Safe Place Family Justice Center’s stated hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Fridays until 1 p.m.; after‑hours crisis lines are available through partner agencies.