Buckner Creates Task Force to Address Violence Against Chicago Women and Girls

CHICAGO – New legislation by state Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, aims to address violence against women by creating a Missing and Murdered Chicago Women Task Force. This task force would analyze rates of violence, underlying societal factors, and current institutional responses to create effective policy solutions to better address violence against women and girls in Chicago.

“It is beyond clear that we have not done enough to fully address the societal crisis that is gender-based violence in Chicago,” Buckner said. “That is why I drafted this legislation to create a specialized task force to help women and girls whose humanity is far too often devalued and discarded.”

Rep. Buckner introduced House Bill 3932, which would create the Missing and Murdered Chicago Women Task Force to create effective policy solutions to better address violence against women and girls in Chicago. The task force would track current rates of violence, underlying societal factors, current institutional responses, and potential measures to reduce the heightened levels of violence. According to the National Center for Victims of Crime, approximately 1 in 5 black women and white non-Hispanic women, 1 in 7 Hispanic women, more than 1 in 4 Indigenous women, and 1 in 3 of women who identified as multiracial reported rape in their lifetimes. The task force would be required to submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly with their findings.

“Every victim and survivor, no matter where they come from, is deserving of compassion and care,” Buckner said. “Through this task force, it is my hope that we can develop meaningful solutions to help women and girls who fail to receive the support they truly deserve. Please know that I see you, I am here for you, and that your humanity matters.”

For anyone in need of help, the following free resources are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week and include confidential support, multilingual advocates, and victim-centered services:

• The Center for Prevention of Abuse at 800-559-SAFE (800-559-7233)
• The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (800-799-7233) or with online chat service at thehotline.org
• The National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (800-656-4673) or with online chat service at hotline.rainn.org