Let Senate leadership know survivors deserve better.

We regret to inform you that SB 1070 will not be moving forward. SB 1070 would have allowed for more just sentencing for survivors of domestic violence who become criminal defendants by virtue of the abuse they suffered, and take a significant step toward much needed care and support for incarcerated survivors. 

SB 1070 received robust support from the community. Domestic violence survivors, incarcerated survivors, loved ones of survivors, domestic violence organizations, other advocates, and businesses throughout the state expressed to the legislature the importance of this bill to survivors, their families, and to this state. They did so by sharing personal stories during events and meetings with legislators, submitting oral and written testimony for the public hearing, publicly endorsing the bill, signing up for Survivors’ Advocacy Day, and spreading the word about SB 1070.

Please read this powerful letter from 37 survivors in support of SB 1070. 

SB 1070 had a strong public hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee in which survivors and experts on the criminalization of survivors succinctly expressed the need for the bill and the thoughtfulness of the bill language. The only opposition came in the form of misleading comments and mischaracterizations of the bill presented by the Oregon District Attorneys Association (ODAA) and the Oregon Department of Justice (ODOJ, Attorney General Rosenblum). Please read our response to ODAA and a letter from advocates in New York about the misleading information presented by ODOJ at the public hearing.

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to refer SB 1070 to the Senate Rules Committee. We were assured by Senate Leadership that SB 1070 would move to Senate Rules to give us more time to secure the votes needed to pass the bill. We were promised a chance to fight for this concept and for survivors. We were promised an opportunity to ensure that this population is no longer ignored. 

In response to their assurances we activated our plans for additional advocacy and public education, all of which involved significant time, energy, and coordination with survivors, advocates, and state officials. Unfortunately, without notice, Senate Leadership moved the bill to the Senate Human Services Committee and not to the Rules Committee and effectively ended the chance for SB 1070 to become law this session. 

We are incredibly disappointed by Senate Leadership’s decision and reneging on their commitment and dismissing the experiences of survivors. Because of our regular and close work with incarcerated survivors, we know well that the end of SB 1070, which was modest step toward more just care and support for criminalized survivors, ensures that Oregon’s criminal legal system will continue abusing domestic violence survivors who become criminal defendants by virtue of the abuse they suffered.

Thank you to all of you who supported SB 1070. We offer a special thank you to the survivors and their loved ones who bravely shared their stories to shine light on this issue. 

For years, the OJRC has worked to amplify the voices and experiences of survivor-defendants. We will continue to advocate for more just treatment and care for survivor-defendants, and work with our champions in the legislature on this issue.

In the meantime, we ask that you let Senate Leadership know that survivors deserve better. That in Oregon, we must Support All Survivors.

  Let Senate Leadership know that survivors deserve better. Add your name.

Bobbin Singh
Executive Director

Julia Yoshimoto M.S.W., J.D.
Director, Women's Justice Project
Senior Advisor