Our Chicago: Recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness in October

CHICAGO (WLS) — October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

According to the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, one in three women and one in four men will encounter domestic violence in their lifetime.

Thirty percent of Americans say they know a woman who has been physically abused by her husband or boyfriend, over the past year.

The Illinois Domestic Violence hotline received more than 59,000 contacts last year. That number has more than doubled over the past five years.

Rebecca Darr, who serves as the president and CEO of Wings, the largest domestic abuse services provider in Illinois, emphasizes that the issue extends beyond physical abuse.

Darr explains, “It’s more often not physical abuse. It’s more commonly emotional abuse. The significant one that often goes unrecognized is financial abuse. The main reason people remain in such situations is due to a lack of financial access. Without access to money, leaving becomes impossible.”

Tiffany Jasmine is a WINGS graduate, she said she grew up witnessing domestic violence, then experienced it herself.

Jasmine shared, “It was all I knew and all that I was capable of. I didn’t consider any other possibility,” she expressed. “I was stuck in a detrimental mindset, believing either this is how it always is or that it was my fault.”

Her life changed when she was in the hospital and met a WINGS counselor who made her understand that abuse wasn’t always physical.

The American Brain Foundation reports that more than 75% of domestic violence survivors experience traumatic brain injuries.

Darr noted, “We had the opportunity to trial this with our survivors in our safe houses. We provide emergency safe houses alongside long-term housing and all necessary support services. We recognized that some clients were suffering from traumatic brain injuries, predominantly evident through memory issues, memory loss, and slurred speech. This complicates adhering to shelter or safe house rules, such as meeting with case managers and counselors. A brain injury might be mistaken for non-compliance if appointments are forgotten.”

Darr explained that the main cause of brain injuries in survivors is strangulation. It’s important to get the right diagnosis, treatment and support.

WINGS launched a program in Chicago medical advocates appointed to survivors to help their memory and attend court and doctor appoitnments.

As for Jasmine’s life these days she said she feels like a completely different person.

“Back then, I wouldn’t even have the space to think about what I want to do or my dreams,” she said.

To support her family she created Bloomology.

If you need help or know someone in need of help, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline for confidential support 24/7/365. The number is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). You can also text the word “START” to 88788.