HILLSBORO, Ore- Over the past four years, Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton has worked with a coalition of area leaders to establish Oregon’s first co-located child abuse and domestic violence center. That goal is one step closer to reality with the purchase of a new building that will be the future site of the Family Peace Center of Washington County.

Located in Hillsboro, Oregon, the 64,000-square-foot facility will be renovated to accommodate under one roof what is currently the Family Justice Center of Washington County, which includes the Domestic Violence Resource Center and other nonprofits and governmental organizations. Additionally, CARES Northwest, a Portland-based child abuse clinic, will join this new facility to provide child abuse evaluations and trauma therapy for Washington County children and families. Currently, services provided by these organizations are available but are in separate locations, including locations outside of the county in Portland, Oregon. This new facility will provide trauma-informed services for victims and survivors of all forms of family violence and trauma in one, easily accessible location.

“I am very proud to be part of the effort to establish the Family Peace Center,” said Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton.  “Our mission is to offer prevention, intervention, healing, and hope for victims and survivors of family violence and trauma. We have worked together with many partners including legislators, nonprofits, and community leaders to bring this vision to a reality so that we can keep our Washington County community safe.”

Slated to open in early 2026, the building will be designed to create trauma-informed spaces that help survivors feel safe and comfortable and will feature child and adult forensic medical services, bigger childcare areas, more space for advocacy and counseling, expanded court services, survivor community spaces, and more.

In 2021, the Oregon legislature awarded the coalition $6.65 million to cover the purchase and remodeling of a building for this purpose. That funding is comprised of $6.25 million in Oregon lottery bond funds and $400,000 in American Rescue Act Plan (ARPA) funds. In 2023, the Oregon legislature allocated an additional $4 million for this project, bringing the total amount to more than $11 million in funding support. 

District Attorney Barton wishes to thank those who helped make this possible, including overwhelming support from Washington County’s elected and community leaders. Click here to see the letters of support for this effort.