Clackamas DA unveils "gold standard" domestic-violence response: audits, training and tech

District Attorney John Wentworth outlined a countywide "gold standard" plan to improve investigation and prosecution of sexual and domestic violence, saying the effort combines an audit of past cases, new training standards and a victim-facing technology upgrade.

"We're only the 7th jurisdiction in the entire nation that will be doing that audit," Wentworth said, describing a review — conducted with Equitas, a spin-off of the National District Attorneys Association — of assault cases going back to 2018 to identify what worked, what failed and where the system can improve.

Wentworth said the initiative also includes a policy to examine suspected "hidden homicides" — deaths labeled accidents or suicides that may have an underlying domestic-violence component — and that the county intends the pilot to inform future state legislation. He announced a planned Oct. 21 purchase of a case-management package (Prosecutor by Carpell) that will allow victims online access to prosecutor and defense identities, charges and court dates.

The plan calls for substantial new training: Wentworth described 40 hours for detectives in assault investigation, another 40 hours in trauma-informed interviewing, and 12 hours for patrol and frontline staff. "We're gonna be looking for 40 hours of training for detectives in assault investigation," he said, adding the county will pursue a certification with the Oregon sexual-assault task force for agencies that meet the standard.

Wentworth framed the initiative as fiscally manageable through partnerships and shared training resources. He emphasized that improved evidence collection, faster handoffs between investigators and prosecutors, and clearer information for survivors are intended to reduce victim fatigue and increase accountability.