Last year, Western Illinois Regional Council–Community Action Agency Victim Services (WIRC-CAA VS) responded to over 1,200 calls to their 24-hour crisis hotline. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the U.S. — equating to more than 10 million women and men each year. Domestic violence is an international epidemic that doesn’t discriminate based on gender, orientation, religion, race, culture, or socioeconomic status.
WIRC-CAA Victim Services provides free and confidential crisis counseling, medical advocacy, and legal advocacy to survivors of domestic violence across Hancock, Henderson, McDonough, and Warren counties. According to Debbie Collins, director of Victim Services, leaving an abusive relationship is not easy, and on average, it takes a survivor seven attempts before leaving permanently. Survivors may face threats to themselves, their children, or pets; isolation from friends and family, and financial control or coercion, she noted.
“Victim Services operates as an empowerment-based crisis agency, offering a 24/7 confidential crisis hotline at (309) 837-5555,” Collins shared. “Advocates and trained volunteers answer calls around the clock, providing information, resources, and compassionate listening without judgment or pressure.”
“For more than four decades, Victim Services has empowered survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, child abuse and other forms of violence. When someone calls the 24-hour hotline, advocates meet them with empathy and respect, letting them share only what they choose,” she added. “Every call and visit is confidential. Advocates assist with safety planning, legal resources, and emotional support, empowering survivors to make informed choices at their own pace.”
The agency offers:
• Free counseling (in person, by phone, or virtual) that survivors can start or stop anytime.
• Free legal advocacy to assist with Orders of Protection, No Contact Orders, and court accompaniment.
• Medical advocacy to support survivors during hospital exams or forensic evidence collection.
• Emergency shelter, transportation, and safety planning for survivors seeking immediate safety.
Collins pointed out that abuse can take many forms — physical, emotional, financial, psychological or digital — and Victim Services provides individualized support to meet survivors where they are.
“We emphasize that abuse is never the survivor’s fault. Abusers make conscious choices to control, manipulate and harm. Society often perpetuates victim-blaming attitudes — such as ‘Why didn’t they leave?, instead of asking, ‘How can I help?’,” Collins said. “Misrepresentation of stalking and coercive behavior in media further normalizes abuse, often romanticizing persistence and control. These behaviors are dangerous and traumatic.”
If you suspect someone is being abused:
• Call 911 if there’s immediate danger.
• Report child abuse to DCFS.
• Maintain your safety when intervening — de-escalation and awareness are key.
• Document what you see (license plates, details, etc.) only if safe to do so.
• Share resources and encourage professional help.
Community members can also participate in bystander intervention and prevention training through Victim Services.
While anyone can be an abuser, research shows that most share common traits, including jealousy, controlling behavior, cruelty to animals, rigid gender roles and refusal to accept responsibility, she stressed. Abuse often stems from a desire for power and control — not from anger, substance use, or past trauma alone.
Community Outreach and Awareness Events Throughout October, Victim Services will participate in a full calendar of Domestic Violence Awareness Month outreach activities across the region. Events include public tabling, educational displays, and collaborative activities with community partners:
• October 10, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Save A Lot, Monmouth • October 10, 1:30 p.m., Bridgeway “Wear Purple” Photo
• October 11, 10 a.m.noon, Pets Against Domestic Violence, Jackie & Dave Thompson Dog Park, Macomb
• October Monthly Display, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. (staff available), Clothesline Project Display, Spoon River College (SRC)-Macomb Campus. The Clothesline Project is a powerful visual display created to raise awareness about the impact of domestic and sexual violence. Each shirt in the display is designed by a survivor or by someone who wishes to honor a loved one affected by violence. The colors and messages on the shirts represent personal experiences, emotions, and the ongoing journey toward healing and empowerment. Displaying the clotheslines across campuses and communities serves as both a memorial and a call to action — giving voice to those who have been silenced and inspiring others to stand against violence.
• October 17, 8:45-11:45 a.m., 10th Grade Career Expo, SRC-Macomb Campus
• October 21, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Circle K Outreach, Monmouth
• October 21, 5-7 p.m., Burning Bowl Ceremony, WIU – Multicultural Center Lawn “These tabling events and displays allow staff and volunteers to share resources, distribute awareness materials, and engage the public in conversations about safety, empowerment and community responsibility,” Collins said.
