The Portland Police Bureau recently launched the Sexual Assault Management System (SAMS) Victim Portal, which is an online portal where survivors of sexual assaults can track the progress and status of their Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence (SAFE) kits. This was in response to the 2018 State of Oregon House Bill 4049, which requires law enforcement to give survivors anonymous access to the current status and past progress of their sexual assault kit.
The SAMS Victim Portal was developed in 2018 by the Portland Police Bureau's IT Department in collaboration with the Bureau's Sex Crimes Unit and was made possible and funded by the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) grant.
"Being able to provide survivors with access to real time updates is a tremendous leap forward in improving our victim-centered approach in these investigations," said Chief Danielle Outlaw. "We are excited to be able to share this innovative technology throughout the state."
Survivors will receive their SAFE kit number with their discharge paperwork from the hospital. That number can be entered on the website https://trackit.osp.oregon.gov/ to receive real time updates on the status of their kit. Once the number has been entered, the screen will display a diagram showing the kit's progress and current status.
The portal was specifically designed with the survivor's privacy in mind and therefore does not require login information so users can remain completely anonymous. In addition, the portal only displays the status of the kit and does not provide any sensitive or personal information.
The SAMS Victim Portal was launched within the City of Portland on May 1, 2019 and is expected to be distributed state-wide by July 31, 2020.
There are additional resources available:
The Portland Police Bureau Sex Crimes Unit consists of sworn personal and victim advocates who apply a victim-centered approach to reporting and investigating sexual assaults. https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/69979
Multnomah County Victims' Assistance Program: Provides support during the reporting of sexual assaults and referrals to victim services and resources: 503-988-3222. http://mcda.us/index.php/protecting-victims-families/victim-assistance-program/
Call to Safety provides access to advocacy services, including confidential peer support, information and referrals to community resources: 24 hour crisis line: 503-235-5333, or 1-888-235-5333.
Project UNICA - (Proyecto UNICA): Provides access to advocacy services for Spanish-speaking survivors of domestic and sexual violence. 24 hour crisis line: 503-232-4448, or 1-888-232-4448.
Additionally, the Portland Police Bureau WomenStrength, GirlStrength and BoyStrength programs provide free self-defense classes and personal safety workshops to people around the Portland area.
To learn more information about these programs, call 503-823-0260 or visit https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/35911