City of Chicago Mayor's Office- Gender Based Violence Response
If you or someone you know is experiencing Gender-Based Violence, call The Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline at 877-863-6338
Help is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If this is an emergency please call 911.
What is Gender-Based Violence?
Gender-based violence (GBV) disproportionately impacts women of color, indigenous women, transgender individuals and LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants, and people with disabilities. It is a human rights violation and a public health crisis. GBV is a form of discrimination and recognized as a manifestation of unequal power. GBV is bias-based harm caused by one’s bias against another person’s gender identity. Harmful acts can include:
Physical violence
Emotional abuse
Sexual violence
Sexual harassment
Discrimination based on gender
Sexual exploitation
Human trafficking
Workplace violence
Economic/ financial abuse
Coercive manipulation
Harms related to immigration
Stalking and harassment, including via electronic communications
Reproductive coercion
Discrimination and/or targeted violence based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity
Institutional violence
Community Resources
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You can also call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. It is free and confidential. The Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and in over 100 languages.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you can call/text the IL Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-877-863-6338. It is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Rape Crisis Hotline provide survivors of sexual violence and their significant others immediate support, crisis intervention and referrals for the city of Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Text and Chat Services available. Call 888-293-2080 for Chicago Region
Chicago and The Network established the Survivor Crisis Fund. Survivors of Gender Based Violence and Human Trafficking can apply for cash assistance of a one-time, $1,000 payment. Click here for more information on the application process.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, human trafficking, recent sexual assault, or stalking and would like to explore rapid rehousing options, you can call the IL Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-877-863-6338 to be assessed for the GBV Coordinated Entry System (CES). Calls are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Office Highlights
Mayor Brandon Johnson hosted a convening on Gender Based Violence with government and non-profit leaders at Family Rescue. Mayor Johnson facilitated conversations between stakeholders, sharing resources available to GBV survivors, and discussing barriers to access to supportive services. This convening was the first of a series of conversations, and kicks off the Office of Community Safety's focus on Gender Based Violence.
Mayor Johnson hosted a convening on teen dating violence with youth at Chicago Vocational Career Academy. This convening was in partnership with Youth Guidance and DFSS. Students learned Gender Based Violence terminology and participated in small-group conversations facilitated by Youth Guidance and City staff on healthy relationships, role models of healthy relationships, and where to go for supportive services.
Mayor Brandon Johnson, the Mayor’s Office of Community Safety and the Chicago Department of Housing announced the launch of the Short-term Assistance for Emergency (SAFE) Transfer Pilot to help survivors of gender-based violence access safe housing. The program addresses critical gaps for residents of the Department of Housing (DOH) federally funded multifamily properties who face barriers when seeking safer alternatives. This program was made possible through partnership between The Network, Family Rescue, the Michael Reese Health Trust, and an unnamed donor. You can read more about the program here.
Gender Based Violence Training
The Division on Gender-based Violence (DGBV) offers a 2-hour overview of gender-based violence (GBV) inclusive of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, stalking, and more. Beyond an increased understanding of GBV, attendees will receive information to better identify GBV, how GBV intersects with gun violence and should be considered a public health priority, practical and local resources to address GBV – inclusive of resources specifically for your target population, as well as how the common experience of GBV necessitates the need for trauma-informed workplaces. For more information or scheduling, contact DFSS-DGBV@cityofchicago.org, laura.ng@cityofchicago.org or yesenia.galvan@cityofchicago.org.
The Division on Gender-based Violence (DGBV) offers a 2-hour overview of gender-based violence (GBV) inclusive of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, stalking, and more. Beyond an increased understanding of GBV, attendees will receive information to better identify GBV, how GBV intersects with gun violence and should be considered a public health priority, practical and local resources to address GBV – inclusive of resources specifically for your target population, as well as how the common experience of GBV necessitates the need for trauma-informed workplaces. For more information or scheduling, contact DFSS-DGBV@cityofchicago.org, laura.ng@cityofchicago.org or yesenia.galvan@cityofchicago.org.
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