OHSU members are experiencing a series of collective trauma connected to inequality, abuse of power, and domination. Internal processes, organizational structures, cultural patterns, and behaviors at OHSU have harmed individuals and created patterns of harm within our organization. In order to collectively heal, we must commit to identifying and agreeing on specific interventions to address the sources of our organizational trauma.

The Confidential Advocacy Program (CAP) is a grant-funded service created in 2018 by OHSU members who spoke out and advocated for further supports for those who have experienced violence at our institution. We work for each and every person at OHSU who has experienced sexual misconduct and discrimination, and aim to center the voices of survivors while working toward system wide change. We believe there is power in community efforts to speak out and call for change.

Rising Voices is a student & survivor-centered CAP initiative that focuses on addressing institutional systems, programs, policies, procedures, and processes that negatively impact our members who have experienced violence. Rising Voices works to amplify the stories, experiences, and ideas of those who have experienced harassment, discrimination, or violence that impacts one’s educational experience at OHSU. We invite any student who has been impacted by these forms of injustice to join us in building collective power for advocacy efforts at the community and organizational level.  

Rising Voices was structured using Community Participatory Action Research principles in order to amplify the voices of those who have been marginalized or harmed by violence at OHSU. As a member of this initiative, your role will be to delegate the work needed to address harassment and discrimination within our institution. CAP will work to implement the identified priorities in order to address, stop, and prevent harassment and discrimination.

In 2020, Rising Voices reviewed OHSU policies and consulted with CAP participants, advocates, volunteers, and community members to develop recommendations. 

• In November 2020, the 25 policy recommendations were submitted to OHSU administration and the Policy Advisory Committee.
• On Feb 23rd, the OHSU Policy Advisory Committee posted proposed changes to the policies. We call on the institution to continue the work needed to ensure all Rising Voices policy recommendations are recognized or put in procedural documents.
• Since March 2021, CAP has held three community forums for OHSU members to join Rising Voices to discuss additional recommendations related to better supporting survivors.
• In October 2021, CAP finalized its policy recommendations