Under the Oregon Statute (ORS 90.453(1)(b)) that protects survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, bias crime, or stalking, a “qualified third party” means a person who has had individual contact with the tenant and is either
- a law enforcement officer,
- an attorney,
- a licensed health professional,
- an employee of the Department of Justice division providing victim and survivor services, or
- a victim’s advocate who works for either
- a nonprofit agency or program receiving funding from the Department of Human Services or the Department of Justice that offers safety planning, counseling, support, or advocacy to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, bias crime, or stalking; or
- a prosecution-based victim assistance program or unit
A common question is if a pastor can be a qualified third-party.
No, a pastor is not a qualified third party unless they can be considered a victim advocate in another place of employment, which falls under the definitions above.