Polk County
Voices
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • April 5, 2017 4a
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EDITORIALS
Turn Polk County
blue for prevention
April is Child Abuse Prevention month. Though journal-
ists aren’t typically the kind to jump on an “awareness”
month bandwagon, Child Abuse Prevention is something
we feel strongly about here at the Itemizer.
Child abuse is one of those things that sticks around like
a bad gene in a DNA sequence. It can get started some-
where along the generational line, and, like a freight train,
slam through generation after generation until it feels nor-
mal.
People who grow up in abusive homes may turn into
abusers themselves — and may not even realize that their
behavior is not normal — or they may turn into victims
who then seek abusers as partners, because being a victim
is what they know. It’s what’s comfortable.
Even when someone has the realization that they are
being abusive, or being abused, it is difficult to get out of
the situation and throw the breaks on that freight train, but
help is out there.
Polk County offers resources for parents, from the In-
door Play Park to Mid-Valley Parenting classes to the twice-
a-month respite care offered by Family Building Blocks. If
you need help to be a better parent or partner, seek it now.
But what if you’re not a parent, or the child isn’t yours?
Sure, you can volunteer at a variety of agencies or hot-
lines, but the first — and perhaps simplest — step is to put
your cellphone in your pocket or purse and listen to what
is going on around you. Befriend your neighbors.
Don’t be quick to judge someone’s actions, but listen to
what he or she is going through.
When someone is in an abusive family — children or
adults — it can feel isolated and alone. From the outside,
the escape route seems clear: Leave your abusive spouse.
Take the kids and leave. From the inside, it can feel like
being locked up in Alcatraz.
Reach out a hand to a stranger and offer to listen with-
out judgement. Let them know there are resources avail-
able through Polk County programs. Be the light in some-
one’s darkness. When it comes to preventing child abuse, it
starts with us adults.
PUBLIC AGENDA
Public agenda is a listing of upcoming meetings for gov-
ernmental and nongovernmental agencies in Polk County.
To submit a meeting, send it at least two weeks before the
actual meeting date to the Itemizer-Observer via email
(ionews@polkio.com).
—
wEDnESDay, aPRIL 5
• Monmouth Planning Commission — 7 p.m., Volunteer
Hall, 144 Warren St. S., Monmouth. 503-838-0725.
• Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk
County Courthouse, first floor conference room, 850 Main St.,
Dallas. 503-623-8173.
• Independence City Council — 6:15 p.m., Independence
Civic Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence. 503-838-1212.
THuRSDay, aPRIL 6
• ash Creek water Control District Board of Directors — 7
a.m., J’s Restaurant, 220 N. Pacific Highway, Monmouth. 503-
838-1212.
MOnDay, aPRIL 10
• Hops and Heritage Festival Commission — 6 p.m., Inde-
pendence Elks Lodge, 289 S. Main St., Independence. 503-838-
1212.
• Dallas School Board — 6:30 p.m., Dallas School District of-
fice, 111 SW Ash St., Dallas. 503-623-5594.
TuESDay, aPRIL 11
• Independence City Council — 7 p.m., Independence Civic
Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence. 503-838-1212.
• Polk County Board of Commission work session — 9
a.m., Polk County Courthouse, BOC office, 850 Main St., Dallas.
503-623-8173.
wEDnESDay, aPRIL 12
• Monmouth Tree advisory Board — 7 p.m., Monmouth
Senior Center, 180 Warren St. S., Monmouth. 503-838-0725.
• Independence Heritage Museum Commission — 4 p.m.,
Independence Heritage Museum, 112 S. Third St., Independ-
ence. 503-838-1212.
• Monmouth Library advisory Board — 7 a.m., Monmouth
Public Library, 168 Ecols St. S., Monmouth. 503-838-0725.
• Monmouth Parks and Recreation Board — 7 p.m., Volun-
teer Hall, 144 Warren St. S., Monmouth. 503-838-0725.
• Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk
County Courthouse, first floor conference room, 850 Main St.,
Dallas. 503-623-8173.
• Polk Soil and water Conservation District Board of Di-
rectors — 6 p.m., 580 Main St., Suite A, Dallas. 503-623-9680.
GOVERNOR
Gov. Kate Brown (Dem.)
160 State Capitol
900 Court St. NE
Salem, OR 97301
503-378-4582
Email: via website,
http://governor.oregon.gov/
—
STATE LEGISLATORS
Sen. arnie Roblan
(District 5, Democrat)
S-417 State Capitol
900 Court St. NE
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1705
sen.arnieroblan@state.or.us
www.oregonlegislature.gov/roblan
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
To the biplane pilot
on March 28
Who was that lunatic in
the yellow biplane who
buzzed/terrorized south
Monmouth for an hour
around 8 a.m. on March 28?
He or she must have made
40 to 50 runs across town at
treetop level — every one
louder than a muffler that
would have gotten a ticket
on a street. Is that legal?
Truman Price
Monmouth
A WORD FROM INDY POLICE
Report suspected abuse
April is Child Abuse
Awareness month here in
Polk County.
I hope that the information
provided as follows will help
educate individuals regarding
the types of child abuse, gen-
eral facts pertaining to child
abuse, as well as the preven-
tion of child abuse.
Most importantly, I hope
that this information will
also em-
p o w e r
those in
our com-
munities to
report any
sign of
c h i l d
abuse, as
reporting is
Scharf
the most
crucial (and often underuti-
lized) aspect of child abuse.
The following information
is drawn from my own per-
sonal experiences as a patrol
officer, as well as a general de-
tective, and includes the on-
going training I have received
while employed by the city.
I should note that I am
currently assigned to “De-
tectives” and although I will
investigate any type of
crime, the vast majority of
my cases consist of child
abuse and sex abuse (often
sexual abuse of children).
To start, I think it is im-
portant to know what con-
stitutes child abuse, and
what is prosecutable by law.
For the purposes of this
article, I will only focus on
what information law en-
forcement can use to build
an investigation, however, it
is important to note that
other agencies, such as DHS,
may have different protocols
or standards.
For law enforcement to
investigate claims of child
abuse, the alleged abuse
must consist of child sexual
abuse, child physical abuse,
or child neglect.
Child sexual abuse and
physical abuse are often dif-
ficult to detect, as many chil-
dren react differently when
victimized in this way.
Some children may have
noticeable injuries, while
others will show no physical
or emotional signs of abuse.
Most often, the perpetra-
tor or alleged offender is
known to the child — it is
very rare that the offender is
a stranger.
Those who offend often
prey upon children whose
life circumstances make
them more vulnerable. Of-
fenders may be either adults
or older children.
Many offenders will take
advantage of their unsuper-
vised access to the child, and
can even be vested members
of our community; church
members or leaders, coach-
es, daycare providers, and
school volunteers are only a
few examples of members in
our community that may
take advantage of their role
to victimize a child. Other
times, the offender is a fami-
ly member, or someone else
who has access to the child
within the home.
To create an even bigger
challenge, children rarely tell
others that they have been
or are being abused.
Furthermore, when chil-
dren do tell, they often ini-
tially only tell parts of the
abuse, and the entire event(s)
are gradually disclosed over
time. Children who are re-
moved from the alleged per-
petrator are also more likely
to make disclosures.
Per Oregon law, child neg-
lect occurs when a child is
left unattended in a place for
such a period of time that
the health and welfare of
that child is endangered.
Child neglect can also
occur when a child is left at,
or allowed to stay in, a place
where drugs are sold, deliv-
ered, or manufactured.
Child neglect can also
occur when a child is left at,
or allowed to stay in, a home
that is not fit for use (no
power, water, etc.).
It is not uncommon for
children victimized in this
way to miss several days of
school, unexcused, or to ap-
pear unreasonably hungry,
tired, or unkempt.
Some children, however,
are able to adapt to their cir-
cumstances, and show no
signs of neglect at all.
All of the above informa-
tion can seem discouraging
and overwhelming, yet there
are preventative measures
that can be utilized by any
community member.
First, become aware of the
facts; child abuse is preva-
lent in all communities, and
often unreported.
If officials do not know
about the alleged abuse, no
action can be taken. Report-
ing is the simplest preventa-
tive measure that can be
taken, however, reporting
must be done upon the first
sign of abuse, or initial dis-
closure by a child.
Reporting may be done,
even anonymously, by call-
ing 1-855-503-SAFE, or by
calling your local law en-
forcement agency or De-
partment of Human Services
representatives.
Once reported, law en-
forcement and DHS can
work collaboratively on the
investigation.
Simply being present in
youth activities, such as vol-
unteering in churches,
schools, and sports, or drop-
ping by unexpectedly when
your child is spending time
with older children or adults,
are all ways to become a
positive mentor, and proac-
tive in reporting any signs of
child abuse.
Monitoring devices such
as computers, tablets, and
phones, is also important, as
the exploitation of children
on the internet and social
media is rising.
In closing, some adults may
find themselves in a position
in which a child is reporting
abuse directly to them.
It is imperative that the
adult does not question the
child at all, but simply lis-
tens, and displays minimal
emotional responses.
Although it may be chal-
lenging, confronting the al-
leged suspect is never a good
idea, as it can interfere with
the potential investigation.
It is important to remember
that children rarely lie about
such matters; if a child men-
tions any form of abuse or
neglect, the disclosure must
be reported to law enforce-
ment or DHS immediately.
Sen. Jackie winters
(District 10, Republican)
S-301 State Capitol
900 Court St. NE
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1710
sen.jackiewinters@state.or.us
www.oregonlegislature.gov/winters
Sen. Brian Boquist
(District 12, Republican)
S-305 State Capitol
900 Court St. NE
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1712
sen.brianboquist@state.or.us
www.oregonlegislature.gov/boquist
Rep. David Gomberg
(District 10, Democrat)
H-471 State Capitol
900 Court St. NE
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1410
rep.davidgomberg@state.or.us
www.oregonlegislature.gov/gomberg
Rep. Paul Evans
(District 20, Democrat)
H-281 State Capitol
900 Court St. NE
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1420
rep.paulevans@state.or.us
www.oregonlegislature.gov/evans
Rep. Mike nearman
(District 23, Republican)
H-378 State Capitol
900 Court St. NE
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1423
rep.mikenearman@state.or.us
www.oregonlegislature.gov/nearman
—
U.S. CONGRESS
Sen. Ron wyden (Dem.)
221 Dirksen SOB
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: 202-224-5244
Fax: 202-228-2717
Salem office: 707 13th St. SE,
Suite 285, Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-589-4555
Email: via website,
www.wyden.senate.gov
— Detective Sarah Scharf
Sen. Jeff Merkley (Dem.)
313 Hart SOB
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: 202-224-3753
Fax: 202-228-3997
Salem office: 161 High St. SE,
Suite 250, Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-362-8102
Email: via website,
www.merkley.senate.gov
Rep. Kurt Schrader (Dem.)
108 Cannon HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: 202-225-5711
Fax: 202-225-5699
Salem office: 544 Ferry St. SE,
Suite 2, Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-588-9100
Fax: 503-588-5517
Email: via website,
www.schrader.house.gov
—
POLK COUNTY
Board of Commissioners
850 Main St.
Dallas, OR 97338
Phone: 503-623-8173
www.co.polk.or.us
—
CITIES
Dallas
187 SE Court St.
Dallas, OR 97338
503-623-2338
www.ci.dallas.or.us
Falls City
299 Mill St.
Falls City, OR 97344
503-787-3631
www.fallscityoregon.gov
Independence
555 S. Main St.
Independence, OR 97351
503-838-1212
www.ci.independence.or.us
Monmouth
151 W. Main St.
Monmouth, OR 97361
503-838-0722
www.ci.monmouth.or.us
HOW TO REACH US
nEwSROOM
Emily Mentzer ..............Editor/Monmouth/Independence Reporter ....ementzer@polkio.com
Vol. 142, No. 14
(USPS) - 437-380)
The official newspaper of Polk County • Serving Polk County families since 1875
Winner of 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014 General Excellence Awards
from the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association
Periodicals postage paid at
Dallas, OR, Independence, OR and Monmouth, OR.
Published weekly at 147 SE Court Street
Dallas, Oregon 97338
Phone: 503-623-2373
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Polk County — One Year $35
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Outside of Oregon — One Year $45
POSTMaSTER:
Send address changes to: Polk County Itemizer-Observer, P.O. Box 108, Dallas, Oregon 97338
Lukas Eggen..................Sports Editor......................................................................leggen@polkio.com
Jolene Guzman............Dallas/Falls City/Polk County Reporter ................jguzman@polkio.com
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