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PARADE TIME!!!!! To celebrate WIRC-CAA Victim Services' Domestic Violence Program's 25th Anniversary, staff will be in the Western Illinois University's Homecoming parade on October 1, 2011. If you would like to walk in the parade and show your support for Victim Services and its mission to end domestic violence, please call Patti at (309) 837-3941 for the lineup location or email patti@wirpc.org or check the Victim Services' Facebook page (link below). All supporters are welcome! |
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Funding for Domestic Violence Services, Where is it Going?
-Diane Mayfield, VS Director
Since my tenure began as Victim Services Director, I have seen a steady decline in funds for agencies providing services to victims of domestic violence as well as other crimes. Some of those cuts have come from the federal level with Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) funds, some state general revenue funds, and some local. With the economic situation, reductions have also been seen from individual givers and in local fundraising efforts. Many foundations and corporations that previously gave grants or donations to agencies like ours have either reduced that funding or moved on to another cause. Since 2009, domestic violence service providers in Illinois have seen a large decrease in funding for our services. From that time, until the budget for fiscal year 2012 was voted on, budgets were cut almost a third, resulting in staff being cut by a third as well as the availability for some "extra" assistance to clients. Yet there continues to be a steady increase in the number of clients seeking services.
The violence continues to impact not just the abuser or adult and child victims. It impacts their extended families, neighborhoods, schools, employers, churches, the whole community. Yet, without these valued services, without a 24-hour crisis line, emergency shelter, medical and legal advocacy, counseling, and so much more, where would the victims be?
Staff often talks about working themselves out of a job. Yes, we would love to see that day when no one uses violence in the family. But, until then, our doors need to be open, our phones need to be working and our lights need to be on.
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Take Back the Night 2012 on October 13
As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Victim Services and the WIU Women's Center among others will be sponsoring the 22nd Annual Take Back the Night March and Rally on Thursday, October 13. Victim Services will be exhibiting the Clothesline Project before the March and Rally begins at the steps of Sherman Hall. |
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Dear VS Newsletter Subscriber,
If you have a change in email address, make sure we are updated so you can continue to receive the latest in Victim Services news. If you no longer wish to receive the newsletter, please let us know.
Patti Sullivan-Howd
Public Relations Manager/Newsletter Editor
patti@wirpc.org
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After 25 Years, the Victim Services'
Domestic Violence Program Looks Back and Towards the Future "Through it all, however, there has been the sheer determination and dedication of the staff and a belief in providing these essential services to victims of violence." - Suzan Nash, WIRC Executive Director
On July 31, 2011, Victim Services (formerly named Quad County Coalition Against Domestic Violence) celebrated its 25th anniversary of providing services to victims of domestic violence and their dependents for 25 years. Over this period of time, thousands of persons have received assistance from hearing a caring voice on the hotline to placing a person in shelter at
4:00 am to attending to a severely battered woman in the emergency room on a holiday weekend. This program, with its beginnings stemming from a perceived unmet need, has grown in tremendous proportions both reputationally and in service availability. How did it all begin? Read more...
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The Generational Effect of Violence
"...I have now worked in the field long enough to be assisting young adults, who were once the children of my former clients."
- Becky, Victim Services DV Legal Advocate
As we reflect on Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we cannot ignore the problem posed by generational domestic violence. Those of us in the field see this every day. As a Legal Advocate, I have now worked in the field long enough to be assisting young adults who were once the children of my former clients. And this brings us to the subject of the effects of children witnessing domestic violence. Read more...
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Working With Underserved Communities
When discussing domestic violence, most individuals stereotypically tend to think of abusers and their victims as being under 35, though maybe as old as 50, often white, heterosexual, able-bodied and often with alcohol or drugs involved. Seldom do individuals consider marginalized populations and the additional barriers and challenges that they may face in trying to access assistance either through medical services, a domestic violence agency, the criminal justice system, and much more. Individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities, seniors, immigrants, and members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community are among those who deal with barriers that often limit access to quality domestic violence services. These barriers include racism, classism,heterosexism, ageism, sexism, and ableism. The following articles will discuss issues within two of these communities, seniors and the LGBT community.
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" several important aspects of LGBT
relationships mean domestic violence is often experienced differently..." - Becky, Victim Services DV Legal Advocate
Domestic violence in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) community is a serious issue. There are many common themes between heterosexual and LGBT domestic violence. The rates of LGBT domestic violence are roughly the same as that of heterosexual relationships. Oftentimes, the pattern of violence is very similar to that of heterosexual relationships. The abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, and involve verbal behavior used to coerce, threaten or humiliate. It often occurs in a cyclical fashion. The purpose of the abuse is to maintain control and power over one's partner. The abused partner feels alone, isolated and afraid, and is usually convinced that the abuse is somehow her/his fault, or could have been avoided if she/he knew what to do. Read more...
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Abuse in Later Life
Elder abuse victims are more than twice as likely to die prematurely than those who are not victims. - Diane Mayfield, Victim Services Director
When Victim Services' Domestic Violence Program first came into being, the first hotline call received came from a rather unexpected source. Most people tend to think of women being victims, and young women, at that. However, Victim Services' first call came from a senior male, seeking assistance from an abusive wife. How often does it cross our minds that individuals over 60 are victims of domestic violence? Read more.. |
WIRC-CAA Victim Services
The Victim Services Program provides free and confidential services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Hancock, Henderson, McDonough and Warren counties.
WIRC-CAA Victim Services
P. O. Box 157
Macomb, IL 61455
(309) 837-6622 (Domestic Violence)
(309) 836-2148 (Sexual Assault)
24-Hour Crisis Line (309) 837-5555
victimservices@wirpc.org
http:\\www.wirpc.org
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