Everyone knows someone who has been impacted by domestic violence. That is the message that Western Illinois Regional Council-Community Action Agency (WIRC-CAA) Victim Services and the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) are emphasizing for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Every October, advocates, counselors, and allies across the country raise awareness about this serious crime and show survivors that they are not alone.  

According to a report published by the Centers for Disease Control, one in three women and one in four men in the United States have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. Domestic violence is often thought of as being a physical crime, but it also includes these types of abuse: emotional; financial; bullying; elder; pet; sexual coercion; misusing technology (e.g. stalking someone online or tracking a significant other); intimidation; and/or threatening words and actions.  

“Domestic violence is about one person trying to take power and control over another,” said Victim Services Director Deborah Collins. “This crime can happen to anyone.  We want survivors to know the abuse is not their fault, they are not alone, and we have free and confidential resources available to them.”  

Collins continued that their service numbers show that rural western Illinois is not immune from this crime. “Since January of 2021, we have received over 1,400 domestic violence calls to our hotline, provided counseling to over 500 clients, and provided legal advocacy for over 200 court cases.”

Victim Services is grateful to have partnered with local elected officials to raise awareness. The City of Carthage, City of Macomb, Village of Oquawka, and City of Monmouth have all signed proclamations declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Those communities will also display purple ribbons to show their support. Purple is recognized as the color symbolizing domestic violence victims and survivors throughout the United States. 

Pets are often the target of domestic abusers, especially when the abuser feels like they are losing control of their victim(s). On Saturday, October 16, from 1:00 p.m.  to 3:00 p.m., Victim Services will host the Pets Against Domestic Violence Awareness Event at the Jackie & Dave Thompson Dog Park in Macomb. The goal of the free event is to raise awareness about barriers that many survivors with pets often face when trying to leave an abusive situation. Attendees are encouraged to bring their dogs to the event and learn how they can be supportive of survivors. 

Later this month, Victim Services will also host a private domestic violence training and outreach event for local law enforcement in partnership with Make Fit Happen in Macomb.

In addition, Victim Services will have informational tables at events throughout their service area, and are doing an outreach campaign on their social media pages. 

Western Illinois University (WIU) and the WIU Women’s Center are once again collaborating with Victim Services to raise awareness of domestic and sexual violence through the Clothesline Project exhibit and the popular Take Back the Night March and Rally.  The emotional and empowering event will start at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 21 in front of Sherman Hall at the WIU campus in Macomb. After a presentation, attendees are welcome to march as a group from Sherman Hall to Chandler Park. At the Chandler Park gazebo, survivors will be invited to share their story on stage in a safe space. Counselors from Victim Services will be available to those who wish to have a private conversation about their story.  

“You can make a difference in a survivor’s life,” said Public Relations Manager Jamie Roth. “We encourage anyone who shares our mission in ending the cycle of abuse to share our information on social media. If you think a friend or loved one is being abused, call our hotline at 309-837-5555 so that our counselors can advise you on ways to safely help that person.” 

WIRC-CAA Victim Services provides free and confidential crisis counseling and advocacy services to survivors of domestic violence and/or stalking in Hancock, Henderson, McDonough, and Warren counties in western Illinois. 

Domestic violence can happen to anyone of any ability, age, sexual orientation, income level, education level, religion, gender identity, or ethnic background. If you have experienced or witnessed domestic violence at any point in your life, or if you are being stalked, call Victim Services’ 24/7 free and confidential hotline at 309-837-5555.

Caption: In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Victim Services is displaying purple ribbons in support of survivors at several locations throughout Hancock, Henderson, McDonough, and Warren counties in Illinois. 

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