Sexual Violence Program

24-hour Medical Advocacy

We provide medical advocacy to assault victims, supporting them as they complete the initial emergency-room visit and evidence-collection kit. We assist them through follow-up medical visits and provide information on the Sexual Assault Emergency Treatment Act, sexually transmitted diseases, and evidence-collection procedures. We also provide referrals to health agencies for victims with additional needs.

Counseling

We provide individual crisis-intervention counseling and supportive counseling for victims and their non-offending significant others. We provide group counseling in local area high schools for our teen population. Our approach is victim-centered, recognizing that each person’s needs are different, and that he/she will be responsible for the direction of recovery. We also have staff who specialize in counseling children and teens.

Criminal Justice Advocacy

We assist victims as they navigate through the legal system. We accompany them during meetings with police, state’s attorneys, and to court and related appointments while providing information and emotional support.

Legal Advocacy

Advocates assist clients in obtaining Orders of Protection, Civil No Contact Orders or Stalking No-Contact Orders. We assist victims as they navigate through the legal system. We accompany them during meetings with police, state’s attorneys, and to court and related appointments while providing information and support.

Other Advocacy

In addition to the specific types of advocacy listed above, we provide victims with information about the crime victims’ compensation program and the Automated Victim Notification System (AVN). We assist clients with life skills, budgeting, housing needs, and we also give referrals to other agencies that can provide additional services to help meet the needs of victims.

Sexual Assault Awareness – “I’ll Stand by You.”

Prevention Education

Our prevention-education program is an integral part of our work. We focus on educating the public about the prevalence and impact of sexual violence. Through our community education efforts, we hope to increase reporting rates and victim sensitivity. We provide professional trainings to law enforcement, medical personnel, social service agencies, and any other interested community organization or member. We also provide sexual abuse prevention programs in area schools. Our goal is to create a safer school environment for students and staff.

On January 24, 2013, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed Erin’s Law, Public Act 96-1524, which requires all Illinois schools to provide age-appropriate child sexual abuse prevention education annually for students K-12. Freedom House proudly partners with local school districts to provide classroom prevention education that helps schools meet the requirements of Erin’s Law.

“Women trapped in violent relationships need to know that there’s no shame in talking out and walking out on their abusive partners.”

Kate Thornton