City of Chicago Mayor's Office- Gender Based Violence Response
What is Gender-Based Violence?
Gender-based violence (GBV) disproportionately impacts women of color, indigenous women, transgender individuals and LGBQIA+ 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
Partner Highlights
Amanda Pyron, Executive Director of The Network released their annual report, celebrating their many successes during the previous fiscal year. The Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline responded to 41,672 contacts from survivors and allies across the state—the highest number in the Hotline's 25-year history.
Jennifer Welch, President & CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois hosted their annual celebration, honoring the tireless work of reproductive and abortion health supporters and staff.
Shykira Richards, Director of WOW Programs at Youth Guidance hosted their Bright Futures Gala celebrating their 100th anniversary. This event supports programs such as Becoming a Man (BAM) and Working on Womanhood (WOW), which served more than 14,000 youth this past academic year.
Cherita Ellens, President & CEO of Women Employed hosted their annual The Working Lunch program. Chief of Staff Cristina Pacione-Zayas joined for a panel discussion and lifted the work of so many in this group including our Advisory Council on Women members and GBV Task Force members.
Mayor Johnson presented an honorary proclamation for Mental Health Awareness Month at City Hall. We were able to recognize the work of advocates and supporters of the Treatment Not Trauma campaign along with our City Departments that have worked tirelessly over the last six months to deliver a comprehensive report.
The Mayor’s Office Policy Team welcomed Madeleine Pattis as policy analyst of Gender Based Violence. Madeleine comes to the Mayor’s Office with extensive work in policy analysis, direct service work with survivors of GBV, and survivors of torture. She holds a masters in public policy and a masters in Social Work from the University of Chicago.
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The GBV Task Force
Codified in the Municipal Code of Chicago, the GBV Task Force purpose is to build a whole-of-government approach to address the pervasiveness of genderbased
violence and human trafficking. The task force shall advise the Mayor on how to:
- increase capacity and expertise within City departments to address
gender-based violence and human trafficking; - enhance coordination of prevention and intervention efforts among City
departments and with key outside organizations focused on preventing gender-based
violence and human trafficking; - improve law enforcement response to gender-based violence;
- shift cultural norms on what constitutes gender-based violence and
human trafficking and its acceptability; - collect, analyze, and use data and research to enhance gender-based
violence and human trafficking intervention efforts; - create alternate responses to gender-based violence and human
trafficking outside of the criminal justice system; and - reform policies that perpetuate or create opportunities for gender-based
violence and human trafficking.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Any member of the general public may address orally, in person, or in writing; provided that oral public comment at meetings of the City Council shall be subject to the time limits set forth below. Any person who orally addresses the Taskforce shall:
- Email madeleine.pattis@cityofchicago.org a minimum of 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting and include their name, organization or affiliation, ward, and phone number.
- limit their remarks to three minutes, and if the person intends to address more than one item, use that time, at the Chair’s direction, to address one, or several, such items;
- limit their remarks to the subject matter appearing on the agenda of the meeting;
- refrain from profane language, obscene conduct, or disruptive comments;
- comply with the order of the Chair of the meeting.
Any person who submits written comments shall do so a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the scheduled meeting.
The Chair of the meeting has authority and discretion to:
- curtail or limit public comment if the commenter fails to comply with this Rule, and
- allow reasonable variances from the three-minute time limit in appropriate, non-discriminatory, circumstances.
Public comment shall be limited to a total of 30 minutes.
Meeting Agendas + Notes (Most Recent to Oldest)
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May 22, 12:30 - 2:00 pm
Location: City Hall, 121 N LaSalle St, Rm. 1103
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April 22, 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Location: City Hall, 121 N LaSalle St, Rm. 1103
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March 13, 2024, 10:00 - 11:30 am
Location: City Hall, 121 N LaSalle St, Rm. 1103
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February 14, 2024, 12:30 - 1:30 pm
Location: Chicago Cultural Center
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December 14, 2023, 12:30 - 1:30 pm
Location: City Hall, 121 N LaSalle St, Rm. 1103
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October 19, 2023, 12:00 - 1:30 pm
Location: City Hall, 121 N LaSalle St, Rm. 1103
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August 17, 2023, 10:00 - 11:30 am
Location: City Hall, 121 N LaSalle St, Rm. 1103
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June 16, 2023, 1:00-2:30 pm
Location: City Hall, 121 N LaSalle St, Rm. 1103
Community Image Gallery
![Card Image](/content/dam/city/sites/public-safety-and-violenc-reduction/images/Apna-Ghar-Volunteering.png)
Thank you to Apna Ghar for hosting a volunteer event in March!
![Card Image](/content/dam/city/sites/public-safety-and-violenc-reduction/images/DVhotline.jpg)
![Discussion at Trafficking event](/content/dam/city/sites/public-safety-and-violenc-reduction/images/Trafficking-Event.jpg)
![Two women walking in a park](/content/dam/city/sites/public-safety-and-violenc-reduction/images/2019-08-24_PP27999.jpg)
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