I am not quite old enough to remember Bull Connor, his dogs and fire hoses and how those actions playing out on the mostly black and white televisions of the day were able to finally begin to awaken white people to the facts that there were such injustices of the day. But I do remember …

Continue reading “Advocates Can Make A Difference At The Crossroads of DV and Oppression”

What a long year this has been since March 21 when Governor Pritzker issued his “Shelter in place” order. At least it feels like a year, although it really has only been a month. ICADV staff has gone into overtime working to sort out all the information coming from a myriad of resources to pass …

Continue reading “DV Agencies Adjusting For Victims and Still There 24/7 Through COVID-19”

As I write this blog, I am working remotely as are all the staff at ICADV. We are certainly in unprecedented times. The best advice we are all receiving right now is to stay put in our homes as much as possible and only interact with others from at least six feet away and only …

Continue reading “COVID-19 Public Health Crisis and Domestic Violence”

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.  Yes, we have a whole month dedicated to public education to help us better understand the roots of domestic violence and that it is not just occurring in adult relationships. For several years ICADV was able to host a contest among Illinois high schools meant to engage teenagers …

Continue reading “February Brings Awareness To Teen Dating Abuse”

The other day I was in a conversation about whether judges can participate in local efforts that are focused on improving the justice system response to domestic violence. Generally, others involved in these types of discussions are law enforcement, prosecutors, probation, advocates, defense attorneys as well as child welfare, medical professionals and others in a …

Continue reading “Judges Play A Key Role In A Better Response To Domestic Violence”

The domestic violence homicide rate for women is on the rise. After the passage of the Violence Against Women Act in 1994, the domestic violence homicide rate dropped dramatically for men and slightly for women. However that trend appears to be reversing. According to a report released by the United Nations, 87,000 women were killed …

Continue reading “We Must Believe Survivors Of Domestic Violence”

Circuit Court clerks are often the crucial entry point to a domestic violence victim becoming a survivor with the help of the Illinois Domestic Violence Act (IDVA).  This year, two very minor changes in law are going to enhance the safety measures for domestic violence victims.  These changes will require more of circuit clerks but …

Continue reading “Thank You To Illinois Lawmakers For Making Victims A Little Safer”

Since 1981, the month of October has been recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month across the United States. “Almost 40 years later, victims are still struggling against myths that keep them from being able to fully access the courts in Illinois to design safety plans,” says Vickie Smith, Executive Director of the Illinois Coalition Against …

Continue reading “Victims of Domestic Violence Find There is Lack of Access to Safety in Illinois.”

  For the past two legislative sessions, ICADV has opposed bills that would require divorcing parents to split their time equally with their children. If they want to construct a different schedule, they would be required to prove to the court why one parent or the other isn’t fit to have equal time. There is …

Continue reading “Equal Time Not Always In The Child’s Best Interest”