Domestic Violence

This page contains resources for any one questioning if they are in a relationship that qualifies as domestic violence, is in crisis, or who needs assistance. Shelter resources are available to you even if you are not a resident. If you need help discerning the possibility of abuse click here.

National resources are listed first, followed by Chicago area resources, then other services (including resources specifically for immigrants, workplace violence, etc.), and links to smartphone apps.

NATIONAL RESOURCES:

National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233).
National Network to End Domestic Violence: Significant resources and legal updates.
Domestic shelters: Can help an individual find the closest shelter to their actual location. This site has many great educational links and services.
The local YWCA usually has an abundance of resources, support and advocacy for individuals in need of assistance around domestic violence. Find the nearest one to you.
Anti-Violence Project has contact information for most major cities.

RESOURCES SPECIFICALLY FOR TEENS + CHILDREN:

National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline: 866-331-9474 (TTY: 1-866-331-8453)
Visit the National Teen Dating Abuse website to chat with a peer advocate 24/7.
Break the Cycle is a web page geared towards teen dating violence awareness and action. The website offers educational materials, strategies for healthy relationships and more.
RAINN (Rape, Assault, & Incest National Network) Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673).
Nonconsensual Pornography Hotline: 844-878-2274.
Victim Connect Hotline: 855-484-2846.

CHICAGO AREA RESOURCES:

Neopolitan Lighthouse 24-hour Crisis Line: 773-722-0005.
Crisis Center of South Suburbia: 708-429-SAFE (7233)
City of Chicago Domestic Violence Helpline: 877-863-6338
Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network: 877-863-6338 (877-TO END DV).

SOME AVAILABLE SHELTER SERVICES:

Emergency shelter
Individual counseling sessions
Legal assistance
Medical assistance
Children’s counseling/services
Information about Victims Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) to protect your job and protect you in the workplace
Information about the Safe Homes Act that allows renters who are victims to terminate their lease early or get their locks changed
Information about adding protections for family pets to an Order of Protection
Information about safety planning and strategies to increase safety such as providing a copy of an Order of Protection to an employer or to a child’s school; or varying routines including the time victims leave for work or the routes traveled
Relocation support
Prescriptions and medical services

SERVICES FOR IMMIGRANTS:

Resources for people with immigration status issues and domestic violence issues in Chicago: This is an online group, they can schedule appointments to the location that is nearest victim to get the process going. It’s free, if person is able to prove that they are in need. The wait sometimes is long for certain things but they do their best to help people.
Apna Ghar has a crisis line and a few locations across the City of Chicago. Apna Ghar provides holistic services and conducts outreach and advocacy across immigrant communities to end gender violence. They provide comprehensive services to survivors as they begin their journeys of healing and empowerment. They also conduct community education and address systemic barriers that immigrant survivors face.

SMARTPHONE APPS:

The following is a list of apps that are specifically designed for individuals experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence:

myPlan bilingual (Spanish) – requires PIN (personal identification number) to get in. Without a PIN, you’ll be directed to a dummy page. It’s an educational app and also holds a digitized safety plan.
Aspire – education, distress signal, send emergency notification.
Pevo – requires a PIN
Sunny – educational, text support, help, share your story and read others’ stories
DVI – education and immediate help
Secretly Safe – requires a phrase to operate. Say the phrase if you feel threatened; operators will receive an alert, notify police and contact you. If you still feel threatened or do not respond, operators will send emergency services to your exact location.

RESOURCES FOR CLERGY, LAITY AND COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS:

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) recently adopted a resolution on violence in intimate spaces (known as GA-1928: A Call To See And Respond to the Crisis of Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence). The resolution’s co-author, Courtney Armento, offers workshops for clergy, laity, and community around the complex nuances of abuse, how to respond with heightened sensitivity and how to create safer spaces for survivors. Courtney weaves the reality of the prevalence of abuse and the possibility of healing into the Christian conversation. (Watch Courtney’s presentation of GA-1928. Click on video stream titled July 20-Opening Celebration, and move the time bar to 1:57.)

HOTLINES FOR OTHER FORMS OF ABUSE:

Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)
This state-operated website contains links to family and community services, and includes sections on Domestic Violence – Victim Services, Partner Abuse Intervention Program, and Sexual Assault Prevention.

To report abuse/neglect of persons with a mental illness or a developmental disability at a DHS-operated facility, call the OIG (Office of the Inspector General) 24-hour Hotline 800-368-1463 voice/TTY. All other calls will be referred to the DHS Customer Help Line:
800-843-6154 English or Español
800-447-6404 TTY

SPANISH/ESPAÑOL

Si usted sospecha que un individuo discapacitado ha sido abusado, descuidado o estafado económicamente, repórtelo a la Oficina del Inspector General del DHS al: 1-800-368-1463 voz/TTY.

Todas las otras llamadas serán transferidas a la Línea de Ayuda para Clientes del DHS:
800-843-6154 inglés o español
800-447-6404 TTY

For other allegations of abuse/neglect of individuals, please use the contact information below.
Category Contact Information
DHS Local Office Staff
Office of the Executive Inspector General Online Complaint
Domestic Violence Help Line
Call toll free, Confidential, 24 Hour, Multilingual
1-877-863-6338 (Voice)
1-877-863-6339 (TTY)

Elder Abuse
(not in a nursing home)
24-Hour Hotline: 866-800-1409 (voice), 1-888-206-1327 (TTY)
(Department on Aging, Senior Help Line)

Abuse/Neglect of a person with a mental illness/developmental disability in a domestic setting:
Adult Protective Services at 1-866-800-1409
Health Professionals
Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Online Complaint
Hospitals or Nursing Homes
Illinois Department of Public Health: Nursing Homes in Illinois
Hotline 1-800-252-4343

Human Rights Violation
Guardianship and Advocacy Commission
1-866-274-8023 (Voice)
(708) 338-7500 (Outside of Illinois)
Minors (children under 18)
Department of Children and Family Services
1-800-252-2873 (Voice)
1-800-358-5117 (TTY)

If you are outside of Illinois, call (217) 524-2606
National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC)
24 Hour Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking call now.