In a significant move to bolster safety for domestic violence survivors, the Illinois Attorney General has rolled out a pioneering initiative in Chicago. This program, announced on Monday, aims to provide an additional layer of security through an intriguing partnership with the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Amazon, and Ring.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul emphasized the transformative potential of this collaboration. “These cameras offer more than just the ability for survivors to keep track of visitors to their homes. They also enable the documentation of any violations of protection orders,” Raoul explained. “This added tool can be crucial for survivors when they decide to involve law enforcement.”

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

This effort is part of a broader strategy to address domestic violence issues, as seen with related initiatives such as the inaugural meeting of Cook County’s Violence Against Women Task Force, which aims to reassure survivors that they are not alone in their struggles.

Amazon’s contribution to this cause is substantial, with the donation of 1,000 Ring cameras to domestic violence survivors throughout Illinois. Raquel Medrano from Amazon Public Policy highlighted the program’s immediate impact. “We initiated a pilot with free devices and subscriptions, and within just two weeks, a survivor was able to activate her safety plan. She received a motion alert indicating her abuser was approaching her home with a weapon,” Medrano recounted.

This initiative not only underscores the critical role of technology in enhancing personal safety but also marks a meaningful step forward in the fight against domestic violence, offering survivors practical tools to reclaim their sense of security and peace of mind.

“We launched a pilot program, with free devices and subscriptions, and just two weeks later learned that a survivor was quickly able to activate her safety plan, where she received a motion alert that alerted her that her abuser was approaching her home, with a weapon,” said Raquel Medrano, with Amazon Public Policy.

This is a developing story. Check back with ABC7 Chicago for updates.

You can contact the Illinois domestic violence hotline at 1-877-863-6338 click here for more information.