Tides of Change is an organization whose mission is to provide hope, safety and support to those impacted by gender-based violence and to shift cultural norms through advocacy, education and community collaboration. Our role is to advocate for and to be a voice on behalf of survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
Tides of Change recognizes and acknowledges the fear, anger and grief that many survivors and their families have felt throughout their experience with our local District Attorney’s Office. Survivor’s inherent fears of not being believed contribute significantly to domestic and sexual assault being among the most underreported violent crimes. In a small community such as Tillamook County, it does not take long for survivors to learn that
they have no voice and will not be believed.
We are aware that the criminal justice system has limitations specifically in domestic and sexual violence related crimes, and that often our advocates need to support survivors in managing and redefining their expectations of “justice”. While we understand that the criminal justice system was not built for victims, we do believe the system has an ethical obligation to treat them with dignity, providing procedural fairness, transparent communication and meaningful agency throughout the process.
Tides of Change staff participated in the investigation into the practices within the Tillamook County District Attorney’s Office in hopes that the findings would lead to meaningful change and improvements; however, at this time there appears to be lack of accountability in regards to the findings of the investigation. The Tides of Change Board of Directors supports the Tillamook County Board of Commissioners Resolution in Proclaiming
No Confidence in Aubrey Olson, District Attorney for Tillamook County.
We stand with survivors in our community and will continue to listen, advocate and seek a fair and equitable justice system. We believe that Tillamook County should be a community where everyone, especially our most vulnerable, are safe and thriving. Thriving communities have meaningful engagement and collaboration amongst the community partners that is based in respect. In order to have a safe community, we need to hold offenders accountable for their behaviors and believe survivors.
For more information about Tides of Change, go to www.tidesofchangenw.org.
If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to Tides of Change, located at 1902 Second Street, Tillamook, OR 97141
Office Phone 503-842-9486 or 800-992-1679 – info@tidesofchangenw.org
Here is a copy of the independent investigation into the Tillamook County DA’s Office: Final Investigation Report – Final Redactions
Tillamook County Board of Commissioners Vote of No Confidence
