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”

Our Devices Hold a Lot of Information It’s become almost impossible to live without digital devices like smartphones, laptops, tablets, e-readers, fitness monitors, and smartwatches. While these devices offer many benefits, they’ve unfortunately given abusers new ways to monitor their partners. Our devices already keep a record of our search history, text messages, phone calls, …

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Welcome to our first ICADV blog post! I am very excited about the direction we are taking with our new website and the abilities we will have to better engage with our membership and the public at large. ICADV has been actively working toward the elimination of domestic violence for over 40 years. In that …

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