Sex Offense Treatment Board
Our history: Establishing the board
Recognizing that highly skilled, evidence-based treatment for people who have committed sexual harm is essential in the movement to end sexual violence, Oregon SATF partnered with the Oregon Sex Offender Supervision Network (SOSN) to lead the way in passing HB 3233 in 2007, which established the Oregon Sex Offense Treatment Board (SOTB). With the creation of the SOTB, came defined standards and qualifications for mental health professionals working with people who have perpetrated sexual violence and abuse, as well as standardized processes for ensuring that sex offense therapists adhered to approved practice standards. By passing HB 3233, the Oregon Legislature formally recognized that specialized education and skill sets were essential in treating this population and in reducing the prevalence and recurrence of harmful sexual behaviors.
Purpose of the board
Coordinated by the Oregon Health Authority’s Health Licensing Office, the Sexual Offense Treatment Board oversees the practices of clinical, secondary, associate, and intern sexual offense therapists in the State of Oregon. There are seven seats on the SOTB, all of which are appointed by the Governor and comprise five areas of expertise; Victim Advocacy, Treatment for Adults, Treatment for Juveniles, Community Corrections, and Juvenile Justice. Members serve a four-year term and are eligible to serve up to two full terms consecutively.
Oregon SATF’s role on the board
Oregon SATF has historically served on the SOTB, in the seat reserved for a victims’ advocacy organization. As a Survivor centered and led organization that works across many disciplines to address the root causes of sexual violence, Oregon SATF seeks to apply a comprehensive lens to a process that is often disconnected from Survivor voice. Alongside supporting best practice and certifying effective and quality sexual offense treatment providers as part of the SOTB, Oregon SATF also takes in and identifies trends and gaps in the field. Through this work, our agency seeks to build and collaborate with community partners across sexual violence prevention and response work to further support access to treatment across Oregon.