DVAM 2021
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) across the nation. During DVAM, victim advocates, allies, survivors of abuse, their loved ones, and communities come together to mourn the lives lost to domestic violence and raise awareness to end this epidemic. The North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic (the Clinic) attorneys provide survivors with the necessary legal advocacy and compassionate support to help them safely achieve independence. In addition to providing trusted, free, accessible legal help throughout the year, the Clinic is excited to announce several efforts to help educate and mobilize the public about domestic violence during DVAM.
The Clinic encourages communities in suburban Cook County and throughout Lake County to join in the effort. Unique opportunities include the launch of a domestic violence awareness podcast, a book discussion at the Highland Park Public Library, a special cooking demonstration to help domestic violence victims, a domestic violence education and advocacy virtual panel, ‘Stick with Survivors’ campaign sticker sale, a social media campaign, town hall visits and recognition, a PACE bus advertising campaign, and the launch of the End DV Fund. Information about these efforts may be found below.
Domestic Violence Awareness Podcast Launch
On October 1, 2021, the Clinic will debut an original podcast, “Shouting from the Rooftops: Destigmatizing Domestic Violence.” Conversations will expose and explore the challenges that face those who experience domestic violence and how the intersectionality of survivors’ other identities affects their road to independence.
The series begins with two recordings. Episode 1: Domestic Violence and Judaism. North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic Director of Domestic Violence Law Practice Rebecca Weininger speaks with Jessie Becker, a graduate of Tulane University and former AmeriCorps VISTA Member at the Clinic along with Barbara Siegel, Clinical Director of Shalva. Episode 2: The Intersection of Domestic Violence and LGBTQ+ Communities. Listen and download the podcast here.
No Visible Bruises Book Discussion at the Highland Park Public Library
The Highland Park Public Library in partnership with the Clinic will host a book discussion, No Visible Bruises: What We Don’t Know About Domestic Violence Can Kill Us by Rachel Louise Snyder on Thursday, October 21, 2021, at 2 PM at the Highland Park Library. The book is an award-winning journalist’s intimate investigation of the abuse that happens behind closed doors. Director of Domestic Violence Law Practice Rebecca Weininger will lead the discussion as the group explores the real roots of private violence, its far-reaching consequences for society, and what it will take to truly address it. Copies of the book are available at the Highland Park Library. Registration is required. This is an in-person event, participants will be required to wear face masks. Register at https://www.hplibrary.org/event/5509651.
Cooking Demonstration with Madam Zuzu’s to Help Domestic Violence Victims
The Clinic hosts free virtual cooking demonstrations with professional chefs on the second Thursday of every month. The Clinic invites anyone with questions about domestic violence to ask those questions to Clinic attorneys anonymously in the chat. The cooking demonstrations include a live chat, via RingCentral. No domestic violence content will be shown on the video. Guests can log on anonymously using an alias throughout the hour. No registration is required. The next opportunity to participate will be on October 14, 2021, from 5 PM to 6 PM with Madame Zuzu’s. Join the event here.
Musician Billy Corgan, founder of the Grammy-award-winning band, The Smashing Pumpkins, and fashion designer Chloé Mendel established Madame Zuzu’s, a local plant-based teashop in Highland Park, IL, combining insanely delicious plant-based foods with teas of the world and good vibes.
Chloé Mendel was raised in New York City by French and Taiwanese parents, Chloe grew up in the fashion by day and cooked with her family at night. She lives between New York and Chicago with her son, Augustus, her daughter, Clementine, and partner Billy Corgan. Growing up with an auto-immune disease, eating with her family, and not feeling left out was her goal by cooking the family meals herself. The importance of eating together has been vital to her family values so she made it a mission to make her 'special’ food taste delicious to everyone. Madame ZuZu’s is an extension of her conscious lifestyle. Eat great food without feeling like you are making a sacrifice.
Learn more at www.madamezuzus.com Instagram: @madamezuzus @chloemendel Facebook: www.facebook.com/MadameZuZusTeahouse
Domestic Violence Education and Advocacy Virtual Panel
Rebecca Weininger, Director of Domestic Violence Law Practice, will be hosting They’re Lying to Us on October 18th from 7PM-9PM CT via Ring Central. This virtual panel is designed especially for high school students and their families, but all are welcome.
The discussion will focus on how domestic violence is portrayed in modern-day media. A conversation will follow the panel that is focused on how to have healthy relationships, creating boundaries, and what you can do if you find yourself in an unhealthy or unsafe relationship. No registration is required. Join the event at https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1452260656.
‘Stick with Survivors’ – Sticker Purchase
Throughout October, DVAM, help the Regional Student Leadership Board of the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic to raise awareness about domestic violence and join in our collective efforts to end domestic violence. Students will be selling informational stickers that include a QR code linking people to information about recognizing the signs of abuse and where, when, and how to get help. These decorative stickers are perfect for computers, water bottles, and more.
Stickers are available for $1.00 each and all proceeds will go to the Clinic’s End DV Fund. Please email info@nslegalaidclinic.org if you are interested in buying a sticker or if you would like to sell them.
Social Media Sharing
Share the Clinic’s social media posts throughout October on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtags #DVAM, #NoMoreDomesticViolence, #EndDomesticViolence, and #EndDV
Town Hall Visits and Recognition
The Clinic works closely with government partners in suburban Cook County and throughout Lake County. Illinois State Representative Bob Morgan passed resolution 007 in June declaring October as Domestic Violence Month in Illinois which can be found here.
The Clinic will speak at upcoming public board and trustee meetings at the Village of Deerfield, the Village of Glencoe, the City of Highland Park, the Village of Barrington, Barrington Township, the Village of Deer Park, the Village of Barrington Hills, the Village of South Barrington, and the Village of Skokie. Other municipalities partnering with the Clinic include the Village of Buffalo Grove, the City of Highwood, the Village of Glenview, the Village of Northbrook, the Village of Palatine, and the Village of Winnetka.
PACE Bus Advertising Campaign
PACE has generously donated advertising space on buses that route through suburban Cook County and throughout Lake County. A Clinic ad is displayed with information about how to obtain help if you or someone you know is living in fear and danger.
End DV Fund
The Clinic is passionate, driven, and dedicated to helping survivors. With the help of generous donors Karyn and Bill Silverstein we are pleased to establish the End DV Fund. This fund will ensure that the Clinic can continue to provide free legal services to domestic violence survivors in need of immediate help within suburban Cook County and throughout Lake County. Join Karyn and Bill by making your donation today.
Donations to the End DV Fund will be directly used to provide free legal services to domestic violence survivors in need of immediate help within suburban Cook County and throughout Lake County.
