Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline
National Domestic Violence Hotline
La Línea Nacional sobre Violencia Doméstica
TTY (800) 787-3224Why doesn’t she just leave? In my many years of gender based anti-violence work, I have heard this question a zillion times. Everyone asks it. Most of us assume if someone we love hits us we would just turn and walk out the door, never to engage this person again. But the reality is that …
On March 17, the House of Representatives discussed – for hours – and passed the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). This federal legislation that originally passed in 1994 was the first attempt at the federal level to recognize and address the epidemic social tragedy of gender based violence. The latest version – …
Earlier this week was Groundhog Day. That’s either a reminder that we have several more weeks of winter (shadow or not) or that things keep repeating (remember Bill Murray)? Sometimes is does feel like the same old same old every day. Stay home, stay away from family and friends, go out only when absolutely necessary, …
Continue reading “Day In, Day Out…What Are We Accomplishing?”
October is universally recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. ICADV releases a domestic violence homicide report in early October as a reminder of how much work we yet have to do to reduce violence and make our communities safer across the state. After reviewing the Fiscal Year 2020 Illinois Domestic Violence Homicide Report, there were …
Continue reading “What Can We Learn From Domestic Violence Homicide Report?”
What do people who experience domestic violence tell us they need in order to establish a life free from this violence? In a word – money. Or put another way, enough financial resources to not have to turn back to the person that causes harm in order to have shelter, food and basic needs for …
Continue reading “Cash Sometimes Paves Quickest Path To Safety For Survivors”
We are still here. We are still ready to support anyone struggling with domestic violence. It is important for you to know that if you know someone who is hurt, scared or just concerned that they have a place to talk about what might be happening in their home or in their relationship. This year …
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”