Just two months ago, 11-year-old Jayden Perkins was murdered while defending his mother from a serial domestic abuser who had forced his way into the family’s Edgewater home, according to prosecutors. Jayden was a gifted and passionate dancer who was loved by so many, and neighbors across Chicago continue to mourn his preventable death. This tragedy is just one of thousands of terrible outcomes for victims and survivors of domestic violence across Chicago, and it’s a sobering reminder that domestic violence goes beyond adult victims: More than 90% of people who seek help for domestic violence have young children, according to The Network, a gender-based violence awareness advocacy group.
The city’s violence prevention plan highlights the need to address domestic violence due to its prevalence and close link to gun violence. But thus far, Chicago has fallen short of the necessary, ambitious investments to address this crisis. Jayden’s death should be a call to action for all public officials and institutions to take more steps to prevent these tragedies.
The Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline is an invaluable resource for victims, offering immediate crisis intervention support and referrals to organizations that provide counseling, housing and legal services. But it is often just an initial step on a long road to recovery that frequently requires victims to retell their stories to different agencies in ways that force them to relive their trauma. In addition, victims too often face barriers to long-term help, such as an inability to take time off of work to attend appointments, lengthy travel times to different offices and a surplus of confusing paperwork.
For years, advocates have argued that victims and survivors are best served by centralizing the resources they need. They point to existing effective models such as the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center, or Chicago CAC — a 23-year-old nonprofit that coordinates the work of law enforcement, child protection, forensic interviewers, medical providers, family advocates and mental health clinicians under a single roof. Chicago CAC’s collaborative approach ensures that victims need only visit a single location during a child abuse investigation and need not repeatedly recount their stories.
Thousands of child victims and witnesses to violent crime come to Chicago CAC each year to share their stories and receive critical supportive services. Chicago CAC not only supports children in the moment of crisis but is also available to provide care and support in the months and years that follow. Adult victims and survivors, however, have nowhere to go where they can access centralized, coordinated care in their moment of need.
That’s precisely why we should embrace Chicago CAC’s Chicago Advocacy Network for Hope proposal, or CAN Hope for short. Under CAN Hope, adults who have experienced domestic and sexual violence will have a physical space, open 24/7, to access immediate support. Using personalized service plans, Chicago CAC will provide expert staffers who can help survivors connect with legal aid, locate housing and access other supportive services all in one day or in just a few visits to the same location.
The upcoming months present an important opportunity for all levels of government to fully embrace CAN Hope. Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin has already secured $1 million in federal funds. The General Assembly will end its session later this month with a new budget that will hopefully include substantial state funds to support CAN Hope. And with its fall budget season fast approaching, the city can build on its initial $5 million investment in CAN Hope by allocating what is needed to invest in the restorative resources that Chicagoans deserve.
When someone asks for support after experiencing domestic or sexual violence, it is a vulnerable and brave act. They deserve an option for a welcoming and supportive “one-stop shop” environment in which they can easily access all of the resources they need to begin healing from trauma and establish a safer life for themselves and their children.
I believe that with the right investments and attention, Chicago can be a model for how we address domestic and sexual violence. Let’s start by opening a 24/7 safe space to navigate a path toward healing. With a track record for success and a specific plan, Chicago CAC is prepared to deliver on that promise.
If you or a loved one are suffering from domestic abuse, you can get help by calling the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline at 877-863-6338.
Ald. Matt Martin represents Chicago’s 47th Ward.
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