***If you have been the victim of a sexual assault that just occurred, dial 911 immediately.
If time has elapsed since the incident, you may call the non-emergency police number 503-823-3333 or respond to your nearest Police Station.***
The Sex Crimes Unit (SCU) consists of sworn personnel as well as victim advocates. The Sex Crimes Unit focuses on crimes of sexual violence within the City of Portland, investigating Measure 11 sexual assaults involving victims between the ages of 14 and 64 where the suspect is known to the victim, is a stranger, or in a “non-family” role, when the crime occurs in the City of Portland. Detectives and advocates work closely with Child Protective Services, medical professionals, prosecutors and advocacy agencies to provide support to the victims of these crimes.
These offenses include: Rape I and Rape II, Sodomy I and Sodomy II, Sex Abuse I and Sex Abuse II, Unlawful Sexual Penetration I and Unlawful Sexual Penetration II. The Sex Crimes Unit also investigates other non-Measure 11 felony and/or misdemeanor sex crimes, adult incest, and bigamy.
Victim-Centered Approach
- Prioritizing the safety, privacy and well-being of the victim
- Acknowledging and respecting victims’ input into the criminal justice system
- Maintaining victims’ privacy and confidentiality
If you have reported a sex assault
If you have reported a sexual assault and would like an update on your case, call the Portland Police Bureau Detective Division at 503-823-0400 and be prepared to give your case number. Staff assigned to the Sex Crimes Unit will contact you regarding your case. Please note that due to the very personal and confidential nature of these crimes, members of the Unit will be unable to provide information to anyone without your permission.
What is a Sexual Assault?
Sexual assault is a crime of power and control. The term sexual assault refers to sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit consent of the victim. Some forms of sexual assault include:
- Penetration of the victim’s body, also known as rape
- Attempted rape
- Forcing a victim to perform sexual acts, such as oral sex or penetrating the perpetrator’s body
- Fondling or unwanted sexual touching
What is rape?
Rape is a form of sexual assault, but not all sexual assault is rape. The term rape is often used as a legal definition to specifically include sexual penetration without consent. For its Uniform Crime Reports, the FBI defines rape as “penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.”
What Happens When I Report?
What Happens when I go to the Hospital?
Specially trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) provide confidential and professional sexual assault specific care to victims. These highly trained nurses have substantial specialized training in forensic nursing, will provide for your comfort, answer any medical questions, conduct a physical exam and collect any physical evidence. SANE nurses are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
A Rape Victim Advocate will be called for your emotional support and comfort.
What happens when I report a sexual assault?
If you desire to report to police, a uniformed officer will be dispatched to take initial information and a preliminary investigation will commence. A member of the Sex Crimes Unit will be in contact with you within a few days. Be sure to give the uniformed officer your contact information, including phone numbers, email and mailing address.
Community Resources
Portland and Multnomah County
Native American Youth and Family Center
Russian Oregon Social Services
South Asian Women’s Empowerment and Resource Alliance
West Women and Children’s Shelter
Beaverton and Washington County
Sexual Assault Resource Center
Hillsboro and Washington County
Domestic Violence Resource Center
Vancouver, Washington and Clark County
YWCA Clark County Sexual Assault Program
Statewide
Regional
Chehalis, Washington and Lewis County
Human Response Network
Dallas and Polk County
Sable House
Hood River and Hood River County
Helping Hands Against Violence
Oregon City and Clackamas County
Clackamas Women's Services
Tillamook and Tillamook County
Tillamook County Women's Resource Center
Astoria and Clatsop County
The Harbor
Corvallis and Benton and Linn Counties
Center Against Rape and DV
Newport and Lincoln County
My Sister's Place
Warm Springs and Jefferson County
Confederated Tribe of Warm Springs Victims’ of Crime Service Office
Federal
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Professional Resources
End Violence Against Women International
International Association of Chiefs of Police
National Alliance to End Sexual Violence
National Center for Victims of Crime
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
Rape Abuse Incest National Network
Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault
College Sex Assaults
Responding to Campus Sexual Assault
Not Alone: Together Against Sexual Assault
Legal Services
Oregon Crime Victims Law Center
National Crime Victims Law Center
Resources for male survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.
1in6 The mission of 1in6 is to help men who have had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences in childhood live healthier, happier lives.
Father's Touch A website about Donald D'Haene's memoir detailing his experience of sexual abuse in a seemingly traditional and strongly religious family in rural southwestern Ontario.
Dr. Richard Gartner's Web Site for Male Victims of Sexual Abuse Read about his book, Betrayed as Boys, and learn of other resources.
From Darkness to Light A resource for child survivors of rape and sexual assault.
Hope for Healing Male Rape. Yes, men can be victimized. No, it does not mean you are weak. A listing of web resources for male survivors.
Male Survivor In October of 1988 the first professional Conference on Male Sexual Victimization was held in Minneapolis. This ground-breaking conference, organized by a few dedicated mental health providers, brought together professionals who wanted to better understand and treat adult male survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
Male to Male Child Sexual Abuse in the Context of Homophobia An article by Kali Munro, M.Ed., Psychotherapist.
National Organization on Male Sexual Victimization Dedicated to a safe world, we are an organization of diverse individuals committed through research, education, advocacy, and activism to the prevention, treatment and elimination of all forms of sexual victimization of boys and men.
No Escape Male Rape in US Prisons: Human Rights Watch undertook three years of research to expose the problem of male rape in U.S. prisons. The resulting 378-page report is based on information from over 200 prisoners spread among thirty-four states, some of whom were interviewed personally, as well as an exhaustive survey of state prison authorities.
The Sexual Abuse of Males Jim Hopper. PhD is a psychologist and for over 15 years a researcher and a therapist for men and women subjected to unwanted sexual experiences and other forms of abuse in childhood. He has published this site as a way to help those looking for resources on the sexual abuse of boys and the lasting effects of childhood sexual abuse in the lives of men.
Stop Prisoner Rape (SPR) A national 501 (c) (3) human rights organization, Stop Prisoner Rape (SPR) seeks to end sexual violence against men, women, and youth in all forms of detention. Through education, outreach, and advocacy, SPR confronts indifference and combats the causes of prisoner rape.
Xris.com Resources Resources for male survivors of sexual assault including links, books, and videos.