Around the world, at least 1 in 3 women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime.
The Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Program (DVCAP)
The Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Program (DVCAP) provides a team of advocates to assist victims of domestic violence as they proceed through the criminal justice system. The DVCAP program was established in 1984, and is located in the centralized domestic violence courthouse in Chicago.
The Hull House advocates do not work for the state, the city, the country or the police department and are not attorneys.
Hull House Advocates:
- Inform victims of their rights under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act (IDVA), the law that proves domestic violence is a crime, and allows for remedies such as orders of protection and criminal charges.
- Offer support and information
- Monitor the response of the court system
- Improve victims’ access to the court system
In addition to court advocacy, the DVCAP refers clients to additional services such as shelters, legal assistance, and crime victim compensation. In return, programs that do not provide court advocacy services to domestic violence victims refer victims to the DVCAP.
Our Philosophy
In the tradition of Jane Addams, our founder, we believe advocacy for policy change is as important as our services. Because of this, our domestic violence staff have become leaders on the local and state level to help advocate for laws and change institutions to help and protect victims of domestic violence.
We are here to help and support victims of domestic violence in any way possible. We will respect the choices that victims make and will assure that they are well informed of all of their options.
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Highlights
Our DVCAP program is housed in the Circuit Court of Cook County
Anita Alvarez, State's Attorney (center) presents the Advocate of the Year award to Hull House staff member Mercedes Hernandez.
Staff members of Hull House's DVCAP program
