Our Community Advocacy Department is dedicated to fostering awareness, education, and collaboration within the community to prevent and respond to domestic violence. We believe that through collective efforts, we can create safer environments for everyone. Our advocacy initiatives focus on empowering individuals with the knowledge and resources they need to recognize, respond to, and prevent domestic violence.
Our team works diligently to provide educational programs and professional training, leads public awareness campaigns, launch prevention initiatives, hosts community events, collaborate with local organizations, and foster volunteer opportunities. These services aim to equip the community with the knowledge and resources to prevent and respond to domestic violence.
Training
Harbor House is committed to enhancing the skills and knowledge of professionals through our comprehensive training and continuing education opportunities. We offer a range of specialized workshops, roll call training, and seminars designed to equip professionals—such as law enforcement officers, healthcare providers, educators, and social workers—with the tools and insights necessary to effectively support survivors of domestic violence.
Our professional trainings cover various aspects of domestic violence, including trauma-informed care, risk assessment, and intervention strategies. These sessions are tailored to address the specific needs of different professions, ensuring that participants gain practical skills and up-to-date information relevant to their roles.
To ensure the highest quality of education, we regularly bring in national experts on domestic violence, who provide invaluable insights and advanced knowledge in the field. By partnering with experts in the field, we deliver high-quality, evidence-based training that supports the ongoing development of those dedicated to preventing and addressing domestic violence.
Through these educational initiatives, Harbor House aims to foster a well-informed network of professionals who can make a significant impact in the lives of survivors and contribute to a safer and more supportive community.
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Partnership
Harbor House is dedicated to creating a strong network of support through our partnerships with various organizations and businesses. By collaborating with local entities, we enhance our ability to provide comprehensive services to survivors of domestic violence and raise awareness about our mission.
Our partnerships with organizations such as community service groups, educational institutions, and healthcare providers allow us to expand our reach and deliver tailored support services. These partnerships enable us to provide in-service training to professionals, attend community events to engage directly with the public, and offer valuable resources to help individuals and families affected by domestic violence.
This synergy not only amplifies our impact but also demonstrates a shared commitment to social responsibility and the well-being of our community. Together, these alliances strengthen our efforts to combat domestic violence and promote a safer, more supportive environment for all.
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Prevention
Harbor House's youth prevention initiatives are designed to empower young people with the knowledge and tools they need to recognize, prevent, and address domestic violence. Our programs focus on educating youth about healthy relationships, emotional well-being, and the impact of domestic violence. Through interactive workshops, school-based presentations, and peer support groups, we aim to foster resilience and awareness among adolescents.
Our initiatives also provide resources and safe spaces for teens to discuss their experiences and concerns, ensuring they have access to the support they need. By engaging with schools, community organizations, and families, we work to create a culture of respect and safety, equipping the next generation with the skills to break the cycle of violence and build healthier communities.
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Domestic Violence Fatality Review
The Domestic Violence Fatality Review Act (Public Act 102-0520) was signed into law in August 2021 creating a process to establish domestic violence fatality review (DVFR) teams across Illinois. Fatality reviews consist of multi-disciplinary, multi-agency teams of stakeholders working together to examine data from a variety of sources to piece together the days, months, and years leading up to a person’s death. Domestic Violence Fatality Review aims to prevent future domestic violence related fatalities and near fatalities and reduce the severity and frequency of domestic violence. This process is accomplished by looking at both strengths and vulnerabilities in various interventions that may lead to adverse outcomes for survivors, victims, and their families.
Regional Domestic Violence Fatality Review Teams are responsible for conducting a designated number of comprehensive individual case reviews quarterly. These cases will consist of fatalities and near-fatalities that are believed to be the result of domestic violence, including overdoses and suicides. As part of these in-depth case reviews, teams will collect and review a variety of records, conduct interviews, look at victim/survivor/abuser contact with various systems, and identify both vulnerabilities and strengths in the intervention process. Teams will use their findings to identify opportunities for improvement in domestic violence intervention strategies and systems collaboration and make annual recommendations to the Statewide Committee. The 21st Judicial Circuit (Kankakee and Iroquois Counties) are one of five pioneer sites for a regional review team in Illinois, among Madison and Bond County, Will County, Rockford, and Lake County.
Domestic Violence Task Force
The Kankakee County Domestic Violence Task Force (DVTF) is a collaborative, interagency community response to the domestic violence epidemic. The DVTF seeks to identify and intervene in high-risk domestic violence cases in Kankakee County through the use of the Lethality Assessment, State's Attorney's recommendations, or individual cases brought by partner agencies. The parties share the goals of reducing harm to survivors, increasing offender accountability, and continuously Improving the domestic violence response system.
