Slaughter Backs Measure to Create Task Force on Missing and Murdered Chicago Women

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, is supporting a new measure that aims to address violence against women by creating the Task Force on Missing and Murdered Chicago Women, which would focus on identifying causes of and preventing violence against women and girls.

“The devastating reality is that gender-based violence continues to cause irreparable harm and trauma in Chicago,” said Slaughter. “That is why I am supporting this measure to create a specialized task force to find effective ways of preventing violence and to help women and girls who are not given the full support, protection and empathy they truly deserve.”

Slaughter is backing House Bill 3932, which would create the Task Force on Missing and Murdered Chicago Women to create effective policy solutions to better address violence against women and girls. The task force would track current rates of violence, underlying societal factors, current institutional responses and potential measures to reduce levels of violence. The task force would also be required to issue an annual report to the General Assembly and governor with information on systematic causes and policies that may affect violence against women, as well as recommendations on prevention and victim support.

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.

“Every victim and survivor, no matter their circumstances, is deserving of empathy and compassion,” Slaughter said. “By supporting this task force, it is my hope that we can work together to develop substantial solutions to better address gender-based violence in Chicago.”

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