Supporting Information
Chicago Releases Three Year Prostitution Study
The Chicago Intersystem Assessment Work Group released a three year study on prostitution for government, non-profit, law enforcement and social service organizations.
Chicago Reports on City's Response to Domestic Violence
The Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence (MODV) and the City of Chicago’s Domestic Violence Advocacy Coordinating Council (DVACC) today released a groundbreaking, book-length assessment describing every level of Government, not-for-profit and private response to domestic violence.
City of Chicago VAWA Emergency Transfer Plan for Residents of HUD-Funded Housing Programs
The City of Chicago, through the Department of Family and Support Services, the Department of Public Health and the Department of Planning and Development, is required by the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) to develop a plan for individuals who 1) live in eligible housing that is supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) and 2) have experienced domestic violence.
Community Action for Domestic Violence
Recognize that domestic violence has a serious and negative impact on the quality of life in our city. It is everybody's business.
Division on Domestic Violence Delegate Agency Site Locations
Division on Domestic Violence Delegate Agency services listed with site locations and contact information.
Domestic Violence 2005 - 2013 Help Line Reports
The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services’ (DFSS) Division on Domestic Violence released the 2010 call volume data for the City’s Domestic Violence Help Line.
Domestic Violence 2009 - 2011 Service Evaluation Reports
The Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) Domestic Violence Service Evaluation Report examines satisfaction and outcome findings of the FVPI and offers important programmatic recommendations.
Domestic Violence 2009 Summit Series
The Domestic Violence Summit Series was intended as a focused follow up discussion on the Points for Engagement in the Assessment of the Current Response to Domestic Violence in Chicago.
Domestic Violence and the Work Place
If your abuser is harassing or threatening you at work, you may want to think about creating a safety plan for your job. A work-place safety plan is a way for you to identify and make changes to your daily routine which may increase your physical safety and emotional well-being.
Domestic Violence and the Work Place - Employment Protections
While many victims of domestic violence fear they will be discriminated against by their employers after they disclose their situations, there are federal laws, which can provide job protection. If you believe you have been discriminated against because of domestic violence, talk with a lawyer or advocate to learn more about your legal rights and options.
Domestic Violence and the Work Place - Victim’s Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA)
The Illinois Victim’s Economic Security and Safety Act, or VESSA, provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to an employee who is a victim of or who has a family member who is a victim of domestic or sexual violence to address issues arising from domestic or sexual violence.
Elder Abuse Information
Elder abuse affects thousands of Illinois senior citizens every year. As a result of the abuse, these victims experience severe neglect and extreme feelings of fear and loneliness. As members of the community it is our obligation to raise awareness and reach out to this often isolated group of victims.
Family Violence 2016 Prevention Initiative Survey Documents
The Division on Domestic Violence conducts assessments of its Family Violence Prevention Initiative (FVPI) funded programs.
General Facts About Domestic Violence
Some general facts to know about Domestic Violence.
Information for Children Exposed to Domestic Violence
Exposure to Domestic Violence, either experienced directly or witnessed between caregivers can have a detrimental effect on children.
Information for Concerned Friends & Family Members
Every year, millions of domestic violence victims suffer from the horrors of abuse alone. Having been isolated by their abusers from friends and family, many are disconnected from sources of support, strength and safety. By reaching out to your friend or family member and breaking the silence, you can make a difference.
Information for Faith Leaders
A faith community has a responsibility to provide care for families in need. In addition, it exhorts society to share compassion and comfort with those afflicted by personal tragedy. Leaders of the faith community are encouraged to create a unified response to domestic violence.
Information for Health Care Professionals
In many instances health care professionals are the first to intervene after an abusive incident occurs. It is therefore crucial that appropriate intervention strategies be identified and implemented. By accurately assessing the cause of injury, providing necessary medical care, and offering referrals to community resources, health care professionals have the potential to be valuable sources of support. Leaders in the field have identified the following strategies to make interventions by health care professionals more effective.
Information for Legal Assistance
The Illinois Domestic Violence Act (IDVA) provides strong legal help for victims of domestic violence within an Order of Protection (OP).
Information for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
It is important that as victims, survivors, family members, friends, religious leaders, employers, and community residents we recognize and address the needs of LGBT victims of domestic violence.
Information for Young Adults
Relationship violence occurs when one partner attempts to maintain power and control over the other. Research suggests that thousands of young adults are physically, emotionally and sexually abused by their dating partners every year.
Inter-Faith Leadership Advisory Committee
The Chicago Mayor's Office on Domestic Violence Interfaith Advisory Committee gathers together to create a unified and faithful response to Domestic Violence through prevention awareness, education, the creation of safe, healing and redemptive space, and resources with and for clergy, professionals, and lay leaders within all faith communities.
Reports - Help Line Zip Code Area Profiles
Chicago ZIP Code Area Profiles is the annual profile report of the characteristics of victim callers to the Chicago Domestic Violence Help Line. On a yearly basis, the Help Line answers over 20,000 calls from persons in the Chicago area.
Reports - National Institute of Justice Grant for Domestic Violence Help Line
At the end of 2003, the Mayor's Office of Domestic Violence in collaboration with the Center for Urban Research and Learning (CURL) at Loyola University Chicago were awarded a grant from the National Institute of Justice to conduct an evaluation of the City of Chicago Domestic Violence Help Line. This is a two-year evaluation project ending January 2006. The evaluation focuses on the user’s perspective of the Help Line.
Safe Havens: Supervised Visits & Safe Exchange Grant Program
As part of their participation as a demonstration site for the Safe Havens Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Program, three Chicago visitation centers and their collaborative partner, the Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence, explored how the current design, processes, and procedures of visitation and exchange centers account for aspects of culture.
Safety Planning
The most dangerous time for many victims of domestic violence is when they are thinking about or actively trying to end the relationship. A personal safety plan is a way for you to identify strategies to protect yourself during this dangerous time.
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence occurs when one partner uses physical, emotional, sexual and/or financial abuse to maintain power and control over the other.