Marion County recorded at least three domestic violence homicides in the past year, according to a proclamation the Board of Commissioners will consider Wednesday, Oct. 7.

The proclamation, which would designate October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, lays out a grim set of local numbers. The Marion County District Attorney's Office received more than 1,171 law enforcement reports of domestic violence and filed more than 800 cases. Marion County Courts handled 1,138 requests for protective orders.

Salem-based Center for Hope and Safety supported more than 4,100 survivors and their children, fielded more than 11,700 crisis hotline calls and provided 13,872 nights of emergency shelter. The Marion County Victim Assistance Division served more than 1,668 domestic violence victims.

The proclamation does not specify the exact 12-month period those figures cover.

Newly appointed District Attorney Brendan Murphy is listed as a presenter for the Oct. 7 session, according to the board session agenda, alongside Pami Guerra and Ashley Carson. Gov. Tina Kotek appointed Murphy to the post effective Oct. 1, after outgoing DA Paige Clarkson retired. Murphy had run unopposed in the May 2026 election and was originally set to take office Jan. 1, 2027.

Murphy supervised the DA office's domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault trial divisions during his tenure as chief deputy district attorney. In July, after a Marion County jury convicted Nicholas Ransom of domestic violence with a firearm and a judge sentenced Ransom to 20 years in prison, Murphy, then the DA-elect, said in a statement from the DA's office, "Domestic violence is serious, and we're glad that the court agreed and imposed a serious consequence for this terrible assault."

Separately, a federal audit released Sept. 30 by the U.S. Department of Justice Inspector General found the Center for Hope and Safety assisted crime victims with $358,396 in federal grant funds but lacked documented processes for reporting data and could improve its financial management. The audit made seven recommendations.

The Board of Commissioners meets at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, in the Senator Hearing Room at 555 Court St. NE in Salem. The same session includes a separate proclamation for National Hands & Words Are Not For Hurting Week. Residents can submit written testimony by email to [email protected].

The Center for Hope and Safety operates a 24-hour crisis hotline at 503-399-7722, with services available in Spanish and English.