A letter to our community

Written By Carli Rohner

I wish that I was sitting down to write a much different New Year message to you all than what is actually here, but the reality is that 2026 has begun with a fresh wave of fear, conflict, and violence throughout our communities in Oregon and across the nation. As we collectively bear witness to the devastating impacts of actions fueled by xenophobia, white supremacy, and patriarchy, it is difficult to know what to say or how to adequately address the brutality and harm happening all around us. 

In reality, I don’t actually believe there are adequate words to address this. It is horrifying, and the impacts of the violence and betrayal being carried out by systems, institutions, and individuals against members of our communities - primarily Black, Brown, and Indigenous friends, family members, neighbors, and colleagues - will leave ripples of trauma through generations to come.

What I can confidently say, on behalf of all of us at the Oregon Sexual Assault Task Force, is that we condemn violence in all of its forms, including when it is perpetrated by branches of government. No one deserves to experience violence and abuse, ever.

Alex Pretti, Renee Good, and Keither Porter, Jr should be alive.  Liam Ramos should be safe at home with his family. The countless people who have been harmed by ICE, whose names we do not get to see in the media, should not be experiencing violence at the hands of our government.

Human beings should not be put in detention centers where more violence (including sexual violence and assault) runs rampant. Families should not be torn apart based upon their place of birth. Medical centers should be safe spaces for anyone in need to access healthcare services. Schools should be sacred spaces for learning, growth, and connection. Survivors of sexual and domestic violence should not fear calling local law enforcement for help, attending a court hearing, or accessing confidential advocacy centers in their communities. Even if they don’t have ‘their papers’, even if their skin color is not white. 

We do not pretend to have all of the answers. And, we know that when our communities come together to demand a better, safer, nonviolent way forward for everyone, we can, collectively, overcome this. 

It is rarely easy, but history has taught us that it is possible. Oregon SATF stands with our community members and organizations demanding nonviolence, peace, acceptance, kindness, and safeguarding human life and dignity. 

We know that we, and many of you, are feeling overwhelmed by the magnitude of the harm being perpetrated. During this overwhelm, we encourage you to develop and utilize tools to sustain yourself: we cannot continue to protect and care for our communities if we ourselves are void of internal reserves. Rest is critical to continue supporting our communities and ourselves. Care for your body and spirit. Then, come back and engage your talents and resources in support of the broader community. We need everyone, but you do not have to be everything. 

No action is too small. Change is driven by individual actions that create a groundswell of difference. Social change only happens when individuals participate in a collective movement. Bringing a meal to a neighbor that is afraid to leave their home, advocating to your local legislators, donating to agencies supporting immigrants and refugees, attending bystander training…each action we undertake matters. You do not have to do or be everything. And, this moment requires all of us to do something. If you feel stuck, I have included some ideas and resources at the bottom of this message. 

At Oregon SATF, we continue our efforts to advance our core violence prevention values and strategies, which include dismantling oppression in all of its forms and uplifting the experiences and voices of those most impacted by violence and abuse. We continue to collaborate and support our partners in the field, and across disciplines. We remain poised to hear suggestions and recommendations from our community members about additional ways to do this important work, and are deeply grateful to all of our Oregon SATF Task Force Advisory Committee members engaging in these conversations with us. 

Hope exists in the spaces where authentic, honest, safe relationships grow. Thank you for growing hope with us. 

Shannon Rose

Executive Director, Oregon Sexual Assault Task Force

RESOURCES

These resources will be updated as we learn of new offerings that can support our network of caring professionals. Please feel welcome to send suggested resources to Oregon SATF’s communications and outreach director, Carli Rohner, at carli@oregonsatf.org.

Carli Rohner www.perfectsaltstudio.com
Next

Statewide Sexual Violence Prevention + Response Professionals Call for Stabilized Funding for Survivor Services Amid Federal Cuts