Domestic Abuse is still a problem

The Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) has released its annual Domestic Violence Homicide Report, covering calendar year 2022. ICADV reports 57 people died in 45 separate incidents. Of those deaths, one-third were 17 years of age or younger. The eldest victim was 79. Seven of the death events ended with the perpetrator committing suicide. The most common means of death was by firearms. The

“The actual numbers have dropped slightly with the easing of the pandemic,” stated Vickie Smith, President and CEO of ICADV. “But these incidents are preventable, and this loss is untenable.”

Illinois now has a Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee that will study and determine what steps can be taken to reduce these preventable deaths in Illinois. With the assistance and support of the Statewide Committee, local judicial circuit teams are being established to review homicide cases and make recommendations for change at the state and local levels.

ICADV has also focused on establishing prevention efforts as a primary approach to reducing domestic violence. These efforts will support our local domestic violence response agencies in working within their communities to address root causes of violence.

Governor Pritzker has issued a Proclamation recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). The Proclamation can be viewed here: https://ilcadv.coalitionmanager.org/resourcemanager/resourcefile/details/2458 and the calendar of events here: https://ilcadv.coalitionmanager.org/resourcemanager/resourcefile/details/2425.

ICADV invites readers to view the full FY21 Domestic Violence Homicide Report containing more detail about the relationships of perpetrators and victims, counties with highest rates, and means of homicide/suicide by visiting https://ilcadv.coalitionmanager.org/resourcemanager/resourcefile/details/2416. For further information about ICADV, our efforts,

For more information contact Vickie Smith at [email protected] or at 217-789-2830 ext. 104 or visit http://www.ilcadv.org.