Human Dignity and Solidarity

In an emergency, call 911.

Mission 

The Archdiocese of Chicago Domestic Violence Outreach (ACDVO) mission is expressed in three words.

Awareness–Services–Prevention

New Items

  • ACDVO’s Newsletter - Spring 2021 (PDF)
  • CDC’s Dating Matters Newsletter – May 2021 (PDF)
  • Help ACDVO spread the word about the Dating Matters Curriculum! Subscribe to the CDC’s newsletter. (Subscribe)

Prevention

Teen Dating Violence and Domestic Violence
 
  • Our work and study in the area of domestic violence teaches that dating violence and domestic violence are indistinguishable and that consequences are severe and very often long lasting.
  • We want to help change the way things are. It is imperative that children learn the dynamics of healthy and unhealthy relationships. The Dating Matters curriculum can help us do so. Dating Matters is evidence based. Dating Matters is effective in changing behavior and thereby helps reduce and prevent teen dating violence.
  • ACDVO began a 4-year pilot of the Dating Matters Curriculum with one school in October 2020. Four additional schools will join the pilot for the 2021-2022 school year. We hope to establish Dating Matters as an integral and required element of the academic curriculum in all private and public schools in Illinois.

Dating Matters Strategies to Promote Healthy Teen Relationships is a comprehensive teen dating violence prevention model developed by the CDC to stop teen dating violence before it starts. Dating Matters is an evidence-based teen dating violence prevention model. It focuses on teaching 11-14-year-olds healthy relationship skills before they start dating and reducing behaviors that increase the risk for dating violence, like substance abuse and sexual risk-taking. (Link)

Teen Dating Violence in the First Person
 


Understanding Teen Dating Violence Prevention Training for Educators is a free, online course developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and available to educators, school personnel, youth mentors, and others dedicated to improving teen health. Follow a school administrator throughout his day as he highlights what teen dating violence is and how to prevent it through graphic novel scenarios, interactive exercises, and information gathered from leading experts. (Link)

 

Awareness

 

Pope Francis Speaks on
Domestic Violence

 

Bishop Michael Burbidge
Homily on Domestic Violence

 

Bishop Mark Brennan
Homily on Domestic Violence

 

Domestic Violence in
Faith Communities

 

 

Fr. Chuck Dahm - Homily on Domestic Violence 

 

Homily on Domestic Violence by Father Chuck Dahm – English (PDF) Spanish (PDF) Polish (PDF)

Catholic Bishops’ Position (Link)
Fr. Chuck Dahm – The Catholic Response to Domestic Violence

 

Domestic Violence Traps

“I didn’t know it was abuse.” “I thought I could fix it.” “I didn’t tell anyone.”

 

Domestic Violence in the First Person

Maria's Story cuenta la vida de una mujer valiente que nos inspira.

 

Recognizing Abuse
Unmasking the Abuser
Dina McMillan - Ted Talk

 

Services

For help call the National Domestic Violence 24-Hour Hotline at 800.799.7233 or 800.787.3224 TTY. Visit www.ndvh.org for more information. Please call if you are a victim, a relative, friend, parish staff or a domestic violence ministry member seeking information.

Hotlines

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) (Link)
  • Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), 1.800.656.HOPE (4673) (Link)
  • Love is Respect, National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline 1.866.331.9474, 1.866.331.8453 TTY You can also chat live online with a trained Peer Advocate from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. (CST) daily (Link)
  • Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline, 1.877.863.6338 (Link)

Service Agencies

  • Agencies and Additional Information (PDF)
  • Agencies Statewide (DOC)

Chicago

  • Catholic Charities Domestic Violence Services – Various Locations. Please call 1.312.655.7725
  • The Network – Chicago: Downtown (Link)
  • Connections for Abused Women and Their Children – Chicago (Link)
  • Family Rescue – Chicago: Downtown & South Side (Link)
  • Apna Ghar – Chicago: North Side (Link)
  • Between Friends – Chicago: North Side (Link)
  • House of the Good Shepherd – Chicago: North Side (Link)
  • KAN-WIN – Chicago: North Side & NW Suburbs (Link)
  • Hope Family Services – Chicago: Pilsen (Link)
  • Mujeres Latinas en Accion – Chicago: Near South Side & Western Suburbs, (Link)
  • A New Direction – Chicago: Beverly & Morgan Park (Link)

Suburbs

  • WINGS – Suburbs & Chicago (Link)
  • Sarah’s Inn – Oak Park (Link)
  • Pillars – La Grange, Berwyn, Hickory Hills, Hodgkins, Summit, & Western Springs (Link)
  • Life Span – Des Plaines (Link)
  • Barrington Youth and Family Services – Barrington (Link)
  • A Safe Place – Zion (Link)
  • House of Peace – Waukegan (Link)
  • Turning Point – Woodstock (Link)
  • Crisis Center for South Suburbia – Tinley Park (Link)
  • South Suburban Family Shelter – South Suburbs (Link)

Resources

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (Link)
  • Faith and Trust Institute (Link)
  • Futures Without Violence (Link)
  • National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (Link)
  • National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence (Link)
  • Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline, 1.877.863.6338 (Link)