Mujeres’ Domestic Violence Program works to eliminate domestic violence and assists survivors to break the cycle of abuse in their families and in their lives.
Survivors of domestic violence can turn to Mujeres for help and support in a number of ways.
Many survivors reach out for help by calling the Mujeres hotline. The hotline, (312) 738-5358, is available 24-hours a day, both in English and in Spanish. Survivors can also meet with a Mujeres domestic violence counselor in person at the Mujeres center in Pilsen. Survivors receive emotional support, information about their rights and options under the law, referrals to resources and a safety plan to keep themselves and any children out of danger.
Mujeres provides survivors with court advocates, who will inform the survivor about their legal right to obtain an order of protection against their abusers, the judicial process, and will accompany them to court.
"The hotline, (312) 738-5358, is available 24-hours a day, both in English and in Spanish. "
Survivors may share their stories with others in counseling sessions on an individual basis or in a group setting. Counseling sessions give participants opportunities to increase self-esteem, deepen knowledge about domestic violence situations and enables them to identify and prevent abuse. Mujeres also provides free childcare for children 12 years or younger while parents are in counseling sessions and CTA transportation cards for low-income families.
In addition to the support that Mujeres provides survivors of domestic violence, the organization educates the community on these issues. Mujeres provides domestic violence education to groups such as churches, schools, parents, teens, social service providers, law
enforcement and medical personnel. Individuals interested in getting more involved with survivors can enroll in a state-certified 40-hour domestic violence training program.
The Domestic Violence Program is sponsored in part by the Alphawood Foundation, Altria Group Inc., Doors of Hope Program, Attorney General’s Office, Chicago Department of Human Services, Circle of Service Foundation, Cubs Care, a fund of the Robert R. McCormick Tribune Foundation, the Harris Foundation, Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, Illinois Department of Human Services, Little Angel Foundation, the Marguerite Casey Foundation, the Pentair Foundation, and the Sara Lee Foundation.
