FAQ - Victim Services
Victims' Services
Q.Do you have to be a resident of Washington County to receive CVS services?
A. No. Our services are located in downtown Hillsboro, but you do not have to be a resident to come here for services.
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Q.How can I arrange to have someone come to my group and speak about Victims’ issues?
A. We love to get out in the community and speak with the public about a variety of crime victims' issues. Please visit our Public Education and Outreach page for more information.
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Q.How can I support the Center for Victims’ Services?
A. There are many ways to help support CVS; from sharing information about our center with community groups and businesses, to volunteering, to direct donations. If you’d like to find out how you can help, please visit our How to Help page for more information.
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Q.How do I get a restraining order?
A. To get a restraining order or a stalking order, your circumstances must meet certain qualifications.
Visit our Protective Orders page for detailed information. You may call the Protective Orders Program at 503-846-3830 or visit CVS between 8:30 – 2:30, M-F, and ask to speak with an advocate.
If you feel you qualify for a restraining order, you must turn in your paperwork by 10:30AM in order to see the judge the same day. Arrive early as the advocates are only able to assist a limited number of petitioners per day.
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Q.How to I schedule an appointment with a CVS counselor?
A. Just call our main line at 503-846-3020 or visit our clinic, and our caring staff will assist you. You can visit our Counseling page for further information.
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Q.I need help now. Who can I turn to?
A. If you are in a crisis situation or in danger, please call 911 for assistance.
The following numbers may also be helpful:
Portland Women’s Crisis: 503-235-5333 or 1-888-235-5333
Wa. Co. Domestic Violence Hotline: 503-469-8620 or 1-866-469-8600
Washington County Mental Health Crisis: 503-291-9111
Multnomah County Mental Health Crisis: 503-988-4888 or 1-800-716-9769
Washington County 211 Information & Referral: 503-222-5555
You can call our main line at 503-846-3020 or walk-in to our clinic during normal business hours for assistance.
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Q.I’m interested in internship and volunteer opportunities. Where do I begin?
A. The important work we do would not be possible without the help of volunteers and interns. Please visit our How to Help page for more information.
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Q.Is CVS near public transportation?
A. Yes. We are just over a block from the Hatfield Max station and we are near bus lines as well.
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Q.My child is a victim who needs counseling. Does CVS help children? How do I get him/her an appointment?
A. CVS uses a "family systems" model in treating dependent children (under age 18) which means that we require parents/guardians to be involved in a family therapy approach rather than treating the child individually. We believe it's important to honor parents/guardians as the "experts" on their children by engaging them in their child's treatment and supporting their efforts at home. This includes involved non-custodial parents.
You can call our main line at 503-846-3020 to request services or visit our Counseling page for more information.
If your child is age 18 or older, and you are not a legal guardian of the child, you cannot make an appointment on their behalf. Adults have the right to consent and self-determination and must engage counseling services on their own. If you believe your adult child is a danger to him/herself or others please call 911 or call the Washington County Mental Health Crisis line at 503-291-9111 for assistance.
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Q.My Offender is going to be released. Who can help me with safety planning and information?
A. Amy Smith, Victims' Advocate, is available to support you with information about offenders. She can be reached at 503-846-3026. Visit our Advocacy page for more information.
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Q.My spouse/significant other was victimized and needs counseling. How can I get him/her an appointment?
A. You are not able to make counseling appointments on behalf of other adults unless you are the legal guardian of that person. Adults have the right to self-determination and consent to treatment and it’s important that they are ready for counseling. Your loved one will have to request services for his/herself. For information on our counseling services, please visit our Counseling page.
If you are concerned your loved one is a danger to him/herself or others, call 911 or the Washington County Mental Health Crisis Line at 503-291-9111 for help.
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Q.There is a no-contact order that keeps me from seeing my spouse/significant other. But I need his/her help to pay bills, take care of children, manage the home, etc. What do I do?
A. Our Victims’ Advocate is available to provide information and tools to cope with no-contact orders. Please visit our Advocacy page for contact information.
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Q.What are the criteria to receive free counseling services at CVS?
A. CVS, specifically, helps those who have been victimized by crime and we make counseling services available to all crime victims (no matter when the crime(s) occurred or if they were reported to law enforcement).
However, our Washington County Counseling Program (WCCP), housed in CVS, also provides community counseling services for non-victim issues. Occasionally a counseling need will fall outside the scope of our clinicians (severe mental illness, formal psychological evaluations, medication requests, situation where a specific type of therapy like DBT or batterer treatment is recommended, etc.) but we’ll work to refer you to available services that fit your circumstances.
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Q.What are your counseling fees?
A. All services are free.
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Q.What help is available to me as a victim of crime?
A. At CVS, we primarily help crime victims whose offenders are either post-conviction (in prison, on parole/probation, or out of the system) or whose crimes were not prosecuted. Our advocate is available to help guide you through your rights and connect you to available services. Visit our Advocacy page for more details.
If the District Attorney’s Office is currently prosecuting your offender, you can contact the DA’s Victims’ Assistance advocates for help at 503-846-8671.
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Q.What rights do I have as a crime victim?
A. Crime victims have established federal and state rights and we are available to inform and guide you. Contact Amy Smith at 503-846-3026 for more information or visit our Crime Victims’ Rights page for further details.
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Q.What services are available at CVS?
A. CVS serves victims of any crimes with counseling, advocacy, information & referrals, and other services. Our Services pages provide detailed information about what we offer here at CVS.
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Q.When is CVS open?
A. CVS is open daily, from 8:00AM to 5:00PM.
The Protective Order Program is open daily, from 8:30AM - 2:30PM.
CVS is closed for lunch from 12:00PM - 1:00PM.
However, in some cases, appointments can be made after normal business hours. Call our main line at 503-846-3020 for more information or visit our Contact Us page.
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Q.Where is CVS located?
A. CVS is located in the passageway between the Justice Services Building and the Courthouse, on the first floor. Visitors must pass through security and metal detectors in order to access our Center. Please see the Contact Us page for further information.
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Q.Who provides the services at CVS?
A. Counseling services are provided by Washington County Counseling Program (WCCP) interns and staff. Advocacy services (offender information, general information & referral, basic needs supplies, corrections information, etc.) are provided by our Victims’ Advocate. See the Program Overviews page for more information.
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Q.Who qualifies for CVS services?
A. Anyone who has experienced crime, trauma or abuse at any point in their life; regardless of whether it was reported to law enforcement. Community counseling services are also available for non-victim issues.
