Domestic violence a significant national problem
By Amanda Knowles | 13th September 2008
Domestic abuse is a significant national problem and is prevalent among American households. Abuse can happen to both men and women, but about 73 percent of family abuse victims are female. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, about one in every four women in the United States will experience some type of violence in her lifetime, and each year an estimated 1.3 million women nationwide receive physical abuse by an intimate partner.
Abuse is even scarier when it’s in your own backyard. In 2006 there were 114,921 reported cases of domestic violence in Illinois, and 44 percent of those cases were committed by a spouse, ex-spouse, or common-law spouse. In the same year, Illinois had 3,798 reported violations of court-ordered protection restrictions.
Cindy Bischof was no stranger to abuse. She was a victim of abuse and went through all of the proper legal channels to protect herself against her abuser, but the system failed her. Bischof was fatally shot by her ex-boyfriend in March 2007, who then turned the gun on himself. Even though he had been prosecuted for violating a restraining order on two previous occasions, the boyfriend was able to obtain a gun and attack Bischof in the parking lot of her real estate business.
After Bischof’s death, her brother and close friends rallied for a law where chronic violators are mandated wear a Global Positioning System (GPS) device that allows law enforcement to monitor the abuser’s whereabouts. Senate Bill 2719 was the result of their petitioning, and it was signed into law August 4.
The Cindy Bischof Law, which goes into effect January 1, allows courts to order abusers to wear a GPS device if offenders violate a restraining order or other court-mandated restraint. If a restraining violation occurs, Cindy’s Law requires offenders to undergo a risk assessment evaluation to determine if a GPS device is needed. Courts may mandate restraining order violators to wear a GPS device as a condition of bail, probation, or early release. The device can notify law enforcement and victims if an abuser comes within 50 meters or five miles of a victim’s home or workplace.
Under the new law, courts may also mandate an evaluation given by an abuse prevention program. In such a case, the by the program.
Additionally, Cindy’s Law adds an extra $200 fine per penalty to the offender. The extra money from fines will be deposited into a Domestic Violence Surveillance Fund that helps the state finance the use and implementation of GPS devices. The Domestic Surveillance Program, a program established by Cindy’s law, will give state law enforcement agencies the ability to mandate and outline the requirements and capabilities of GPS devices used to track domestic offenders.
Illinois is one of eleven states in the country with similar laws that allow the use GPS to protect abuse victims, and two states (California and Wisconsin) are in the early stages of enacting such legislation. The rest of the country has not yet introduced bills that protect citizens in such a way.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, it is important to get help, and there are many resources available in the Peoria area.
The Freedom House, which is located in Princeton, offers a 24-hour shelter and access to advocacy programs, as well as counseling services. Their hotline is 800-474-6031
The Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) has programs that help education the public on family abuse, counseling services, and offers shelter to those who are being abuse. Visit their website at www.ilcadv.org or call the 24-hour Illinois Domestic Violence Helpline: 877-863-6338. The ICADV has offices across the state, including The Center for the Prevention of Abuse located in Peoria. Call their Helpline at 800-559-7233 or visit them on the Web at:
wwww.centerforpreventionofabuse.org.