Lincoln Woman's Club Collects for Domestic Violence Victims

[October 15, 2018]   LINCOLN - In observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, Lincoln Woman's Club is collecting items for shelter residents at its Oct. 17 meeting. The public is invited to participate.

Particular items requested are single bed linens and towels plus laundry and dish soap. A working vacuum cleaner is also needed. Those wishing to donate can contact Shari Reynolds (217-737-1230), Lynn Spellman (217-737-1534) or any club member prior to the meeting.

Lincoln Woman's Club President Jan Villarreal noted that Domestic Violence Awareness is a signature project of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. “We are passionate about this project,” she said.

All items donated will be given to Sojourn Shelter in Springfield. Sojourn can be reached at 217-726- 5200 and provides shelter for Logan County victims of domestic violence.

The Lincoln representative for Sojourn is Logan County Court Advocate Carey Gave, whose office is located in Room #10 of the Logan County Courthouse, 601 Broadway. She can be reached at 217-732- 8988 or cgave@logancountyil. gov regarding domestic violence situations, whether or not the person wishes to go to a shelter. Her hours are 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Gave provides for victims of domestic violence in Logan County “advocacy, information and support throughout both civil and criminal court proceedings,” according to Sojourn officials. She helps clients complete orders of protection and advocates for them before the judge. She also provides community referrals. All services are free and confidential.

According to the Sojourn office in Springfield, “Individual domestic violence crisis management services are also available to adult and child victims.” They provide education to the community, including professional training, domestic violence awareness and dynamics education, and prevention programs. They also partner with schools, businesses, agencies, civic and faith-based organizations to prevent violence in the community.

Logan County State's Attorney Jonathan Wright said in a press release on Aug. 8, “Domestic violence is present in every community and affects all people regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion or nationality.

According to the Center for Disease Control, nationally, about 31.5 percent of women and 27.5 percent of men have experienced physical violence by an intimate partner during their lifetimes. Of these, about 22.3 percent of women and 14 percent of men have experienced severe physical violence.”

Wright continued, “In addition to immediate physical injuries, victims of domestic violence suffer long-term social and psychological harms such as being fearful or concerned for their safety, developing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, missing school and finding themselves in need of housing, legal services and medical care.” He urged people with knowledge of domestic violence to report incidents to law enforcement officers.
 

Although Sojourn does not operate a shelter in Logan County, domestic violence victims can use the services of their shelter in Springfield by calling 217-726-5200. The maximum stay is three months, and children are welcome. The mission of Sojourn is to build a community free of violence through service, leadership and education.

People wishing to make a monetary donation to Sojourn Shelter may do so by mailing a check to 1800 Westchester Blvd, Springfield, IL 62704 or by donating via Paypal. Anyone wishing to direct their contribution for local use should write “for the Logan County office” on the check's memo line.

[Lynn Spellman]