The Salem Police Department has a very active Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT) program which is designed to provide 24‐hour on-scene crisis intervention to victims of domestic and/or sexual violence and stalking in Salem. 

The victim advocate program is run by a coordinator and more than 20 highly trained volunteer advocates from the community. The team also includes approximately 15 officers trained in domestic violence investigations and the dynamics of domestic abuse.

The goal of the DVRT program is to increase victim safety and raise offender accountability through the work of our victim advocates and officers on the team. The ultimate goal is to reduce repeat domestic abuse incidents within the same household.

If you are a victim of domestic abuse, you do not necessarily have to file a police report in order to speak to a victim advocate. Victim advocates working at Salem Police are not law enforcement officers.

Victim advocates can help

• Devise a safety plan catered to your specific situation.
• Provide information on protective orders.
• Provide information on the criminal justice system and offender arrest procedures.
• Explain Oregon law in relation to domestic abuse.
• Provide information on the crime of domestic abuse and stalking.
• Provide emotional support and encouragement.
• Put you in touch with assisting agencies that provide needed resources.
• Provide information and answer questions pertaining to victims of other types of crimes.

Donate used cell phones

The Salem Police Department collects donations of cell phones no longer wanted or needed and provides them free of charge to victims of domestic violence. Learn more about how to donate your used cell phone.