Kalish Draws Attention to Resources for Survivors During Domestic Violence Awareness Month

CHICAGO – In recognition of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, state Rep. Yehiel “Mark” Kalish, D-Chicago, is highlighting resources for victims of domestic violence.

“As Domestic Violence Awareness Month draws to a close, it’s important for survivors of domestic violence to know that they are not alone and that there are resources available to help them,” Kalish said. “This is an issue that can affect any resident of the state, from any background. It’s imperative that we fight for lifesaving funding, new laws and greater protections for victims of domestic violence.”

This spring, Kalish supported a bipartisan, balanced budget that provided $21 million to fund critical services that protect and help empower survivors of domestic violence. Kalish additionally passed a reform, House Bill 92, which protects sexual assault victims with arrest warrants for non-violent crimes by ensuring that they will not be taken into custody if they report the assault to law enforcement or medical professionals. Instead, law enforcement is required only to issue the survivor a notice to appear in court. Under current law, victims of sexual assault could be arrested for their offenses, creating a scenario that has proven to cause sexual assaults to go unreported.

Local residents who may be or know someone who is a victim or survivor of domestic violence, can receive confidential, multi-lingual support through one of the following free resources, available 24 hours per day, seven days per week:

• the Illinois Domestic Violence Help Line at 877-TO END DV (877-863-6338)
• the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (800-799-7233) or with online chat service at thehotline.org
• the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline at 866-331-9474, by texting LoveIs to 25222, or with online chat service at loveisrespect.org
• the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (800-656-4673) or with online chat service at hotline.rainn.org

 “We need to create an environment that empowers and amplifies the voices of survivors to come forward,” Kalish said. “I am committed to continuing to advance reforms that will protect victims and survivors and to fully fund domestic abuse programs that have saved thousands of lives across Illinois.”