Story by: Tyler Francke

The Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office of Domestic Violence Adult Unit, along with Chief Deputy District Attorney John Wentworth, were honored recently with the Clackamas Women’s Services Impact Award.

Clackamas Women’s Services is a flagship organization known for protecting and assisting victims of domestic violence in Clackamas County. Through the work of Wentworth and his team, Clackamas County has become a leader in responding to victims of domestic violence.

The prestigious honor shows a deep appreciation for the collaborative approach by Wentworth and his team. Along with partner organizations, they work to reduce domestic violence and help domestic violence victims. Wentworth and his team also play a central role in three critical areas — the county’s High Risk Response Team, its Strangulation Response initiative and Domestic Violence Fatality Review team. It also collaborates with the work at the A Safe Place Family Justice Center.

“What an honor to have our work recognized by such a tremendous organization as Clackamas Women’s Services,” Wentworth said. “The prosecutors, investigators, victim advocates and support staff work together and with community partners to hold domestic abusers accountable, and protect victims of family violence.”

Clackamas Women’s Services officials singled out Wentworth for his work in the field. They praised his dedication and leadership throughout the years, not only in the area of domestic violence, but also in helping vulnerable adult victims of abuse and neglect.

During the 2017 legislative session, Wentworth participated in an effort to reduce the lethal effects of domestic violence. This work focused on the crime of strangulation. On Jan. 1, 2019, the law changed to make strangulation — in cases of domestic violence — a felony.

Wentworth and his team have also spent countless hours on efforts to end family violence, including training police on the dynamics of domestic violence, the impact of trauma, perpetrator tactics and investigative strategies for domestic violence cases.

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