Saving Grace cheers victim advocate bill signing

Bend-based Saving Grace said Friday it is energized by the governor’s signing of HB 3476, also known as the Advocate Privilege Bill. The bill focuses on ensuring victims of domestic or sexual violence access to confidential services.

Confidentiality between a victim and a domestic or sexual violence advocate is critical to effective access to services and options for safety. Victims of these crimes suffer a whole range of emotional and psychological trauma.

“The right to privacy is particularly critical for victims in small communities, whether that is geographical, such as rural areas, or communities of interest, such as college campuses,” said Janet Huerta, Saving Grace executive director.

“The passage of statutory victim-advocate privilege ensures that victims are free to seek services without fear of disclosure. It increases survivors’ safety, autonomy and healing,” she added.

It has been found that without assurances of confidentiality, victims may not seek help from support services. They may not disclose the true nature of abuse or assault, compromising their safety and undermining effective interventions and may stay in unsafe situations and suffer more abuse or assault.

Saving Grace has a very specific confidentiality policy in place and this bill allows for Saving Grace advocates to illustrate the significance of this policy to those that might ask advocates to share privileged information.

The mission of Saving Grace is to provide comprehensive family violence and sexual assault services and promote the value of living life free from violence. For more information contact Lauren, lauren@saving-grace.org.