FSS & the Domestic Violence Movement

*National and State FSS and The Domestic Violence Movement*		*Family Shelter Service FSS and The Domestic Violence Movement*

	2006	30th Anniversary Celebration. Family Shelter celebrates the construction of a new community counseling/shelter facility located in Downers Grove with a groundbreaking ceremony.

Congress reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act.	2005	Publication of Wings for the Soul: Poetry and Art Celebrating the Courageous Journeys of Victims of Domestic Violence and their Children. Winning Workplace features Family Shelter Service on its website.

	2004	The DuPage County Community Development Commission awards a $1 million CDBG grant in support of a community counseling shelter facility in southeast DuPage County. The Court Advocacy Program space is significantly expanded at the courthouse.

	2003	A two-session Educational Series is implemented as a gateway to services, educating clients about domestic violence and linking them to appropriate services. The Individualized Length of Stay and Service, based on client need, are introduced. Clients are able to make realistic progress and the need to move to another shelter program is reduced.

The Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professional certification program is implemented.	2002	The Second Chance Resale Shop, a 3,000-square foot retail space in Wheaton, is opened to create a new source of revenue and provide clients with an opportunity to shop without cost. FSS qualifies as an Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professional Training Site.

Congress reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act.	2000	Family Shelter Service launches a $1.8 million capital campaign to purchase and renovate a 10,000-square foot building in Wheaton to house the Community Counseling, Administrative and Development offices. The 18th Judicial Circuit Family Violence Coordinating Council is inaugurated.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of Community Services and the Administration on Families and Children sponsor the Next Millennium Conference: Ending Domestic Violence in Illinois.	1999	The first annual community breakfast ”Creating A Safe Community Together” is inaugurated, recognizing 10 community partners who made a difference in the challenge to address domestic violence. A new state grant funds the Medical Advocacy Program, which provides increased access to victims of domestic violence seeking assistance in the medical community. The Teen Witness Program is funded by a grant from the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority.

	1998	A community-wide conference for social service professionals, Domestic Violence: Myths, Realities and their Clinical Implications, presented by Neil S. Jacobson, Ph.D., is sponsored by Family Shelter Service. The Outreach and Training Program is initiated to increase awareness and provide educational programs about domestic violence.

President Clinton signs an anti-stalking law, which makes interstate stalking and harassment a federal offense.	1997	A CDBG grant funds the Hanson House family room addition. Advocacy staff moves to the courthouse, increasing accessibility to clients seeking legal remedies.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline, funded by VAWA, begins operation and receives 8,841 calls during its first month of operation.	1996	A new grant funds the Latina Outreach Program, which makes culturally sensitive and bilingual services more accessible to the Spanish-speaking community, the largest minority in DuPage County.

President Clinton signs the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which provides grants to bolster services designed to address violence against women. Court documents show that murder victim Nicole Brown Simpson had been battered by former husband, O.J. Simpson. NCADV & Ms. Magazine launch “Remember My Name”, a national registry to record those killed in DV incidents.	1994

	1993	Glen Ellyn office space is obtained to house Community Counseling, Administration and Development offices.

	1991	A community education grant funds the development of a domestic violence training manual.

Ohio Governor Richard Celesta gives clemency to 25 battered women convicted of crimes committed while they suffered abuse. He took this action after the state supreme court established Battered Woman Syndrome as a legal defense.	1990	Court Advocacy, Victim Advocacy, Counseling, Volunteer and Centralized Intake programs outgrow their offices in the shelter facilities. Additional office space is acquired to accommodate these expanding programs.

	1989	The third shelter, a 13-bed facility named Detroy House, opens in Naperville. Community Counseling and Court Advocacy Programs are significantly expanded.

The US Surgeon General declares domestic violence the leading health hazard to women.	1988	DuPage County adopts the Domestic Violence Protocol, which implements a named “pro-arrest” policy. The Protocol establishes Family Shelter’s Victim Advocacy Project, which puts advocates in touch with victims after police are called for a domestic incident.

The first national toll-free domestic violence hotline is established by NCADV.	1987

The Illinois Supreme Court, eliminating a major source of funding for many agencies including Family Shelter Service finds the marriage license surcharge unconstitutional.	1986	Zack House, an 18-bed shelter in Wheaton, and a walk-in counseling center in Naperville are opened.

A landmark police liability lawsuit, Thurman vs. City of Torrington, is the first federal case in which a battered woman successfully sues a city police department for failing to provide equal protection and for responding in a discriminatory manner to domestic violence calls. The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding is made available for fines levied on convicted criminals.	1985

	1984	A Children’s Program is established to address their special needs and to interrupt the generational cycle of violence.

The Illinois Domestic Violence Act (IDVA) is passed and provides legal remedies for victims of domestic violence.	1982	The Court Advocacy Program is established to assist victims of domestic violence to access legal remedies under the newly created Illinois Domestic Violence Act.

President Reagan closes the Office of Domestic Violence. In Illinois, a $10 surcharge on marriage license fees and a $5 divorce filing fee are established to support domestic violence shelters and programs.	1981

	1980	Hanson House, a 12-bed shelter in Glen Ellyn, opens.

President Carter establishes the Federal Office of Domestic Violence in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.	1979	The DuPage Development Commission awards a CDBG/HUD-funded grant to establish a shelter, the first facility of its kind in DuPage County.
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) is organized.	1978

Oregon enacts legislation mandating arrest in domestic violence cases. The DuPage County Health Department conducts a survey that shows the largest unmet need in DuPage County is housing for women and children needing protection from domestic violence.	1977	A 24-hour hotline is established. 630-469-56100 has been in continuous operation ever since.

The first informal meetings to establish statewide domestic violence services in Illinois are held. Nebraska abolishes the marital rape exemption.	1976	A group of individuals brought together by social activism were confronted by the realities of homelessness in DuPage County and its relationship to domestic violence. They founded Family Shelter Service in response to the need.