The Chicago Police Department is committed to responding to domestic violence with urgency, professionalism, and a survivor-centered approach. Through dedicated personnel, including Domestic Violence Victim Specialists, CPD works to ensure victim and survivor safety, hold offenders accountable, and connect individuals with vital resources. Our efforts are grounded in the belief that domestic violence is a serious crime that demands a coordinated, consistent, and compassionate response from law enforcement.

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior used by one person to gain or maintain power and control over another within a family, household, or dating relationship. While domestic violence often includes physical harm, it can also involve emotional, psychological, verbal, financial, or other forms of abuse that threaten the safety, well-being, and autonomy of the victim. This form of violence can be reinforced by social, cultural, or institutional factors that may overlook or minimize its impact.

Who is Protected by the Illinois Domestic Violence Act (IDVA)?

• Spouses and former spouses
• Parents and children (including stepchildren and foster children)
• Persons related by blood or by present marriage
• Persons who share or once shared a common dwelling
• Persons who have or allegedly have a blood relationship through a child
• Persons of the same sex or opposite sex who have or have had a dating or engagement relationship
• Persons with disabilities and their personal assistants or caregivers

What must the Police Officer do?

Under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, the responding officer(s) (the officers assigned to answer the call for service) must take certain actions. These include:

• Arresting the abuser where appropriate
• Advising the victim or survivor of the importance of seeking medical attention and preserving evidence
• Arranging or providing the victim and any dependents with transportation to a medical facility or place of safety
• Making a police report of any allegation or incident of abuse
• Inventorying any weapons used to commit the abuse
• Informing the victim of the right to request that a criminal proceeding be initiated where appropriate
• Providing the victim or survivor with the officer’s name and star number, and information about available services, including referral to an accessible service agency

Our Services

The Chicago Police Department is committed to supporting victims and survivors of domestic violence through a trauma-informed and survivor-centered approach. CPD’s Domestic Violence Victim Specialists provide personalized assistance to help individuals navigate crises or challenging situations, engage with the justice system, and access long-term support. Whether someone is in immediate danger or working toward a long-term plan, Domestic Violence Victim Specialists ensure that survivors are not alone in the process.

Our Domestic Violence Victim Specialists are non-police, civilian specialists who help create a connection between CPD and victims and survivors to offer immediate support services. All services are trauma-informed to help minimize the widespread impact of trauma and assist those impacted by a violent crime to help toward their path to healing and recovery.

All services are FREE, and a police report is NOT required to receive services.

Services include:

• Advocacy with law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts
• Referrals to community-based services and support programs
• Crisis support during traumatic or high-risk situations
• Safety planning to help reduce risk and protect survivors
• Guidance through the justice system and court process

Contact Us

Domsetic Violence Victim Specialists work in various locations throughout the City, including at several CPD District Stations.

To connect with someone from the Office of Victim Services, please reach out to us at:

VictimServices@chicagopolice.org

Or call us during regular business hours, Monday thru Friday (excluding major holidays), from 8am – 4pm

(312) 745-6340

Domestic Violence Hotline

The City of Chicago Domestic Violence Help Line offers a variety of domestic violence referrals to victims, based on their individual needs. The Help Line is toll-free, confidential, multi-lingual and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The City of Chicago Domestic Violence Help Line:

1-877-TO-END-DV
1-877-863-6338 or
1-877-863-6339 (TTY)