1K Ring cameras donated for Illinois domestic violence survivors as part of new initiative

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Illinois attorney general announced a new program in Chicago Monday that's giving domestic violence survivors an added layer of security.

It's a collaboration with the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Amazon and Ring.

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"These cameras do more than allow survivors to monitor who's coming and going from their homes. Survivors can document any order of protection violations," Attorney General Kwame Raoul said. "That extra tool can help survivors, if they go to law enforcement."

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Amazon has donated 1,000 Ring cameras to domestic violence survivors in Illinois.

Raoul says it's among the most important initiatives of his office.

While homicides may be going down in Illinois, domestic abuse deaths have skyrocketed. They're up 140 percent in the last three years, according to victim advocates.

The victims are mostly women.

Last week's home invasion in Oswego, during which the ex-husband of 41-year-old Ashley Stewart is alleged to have killed her with a knife in her garage, highlights the ongoing threat victims of domestic violence face.

Her current husband says he saw the suspect via remote surveillance video and called police.

"Survivors of domestic violence deserve to feel secure," Raoul said.

Amazon also donated $25,000 during Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.

"Lives will be saved, not only in prosecution and civil trials, just because of the evidence now that will be available as a result of the Ring cameras," said Kerry Boyd, with the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

The attorney general's office has $5.5 million this year to help survivors with support groups, food and clothing and reimbursements for expenses incurred because of crimes, such as counseling, medical costs and lost earnings for missed work.

Last year the office received over 250 new applicants to the Address Confidentiality Program, which provides a substitute address for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and stalking.

Amazon intensified its giving after a pilot project in Houston saved a victim.

"We launched a pilot program, with free devices and subscriptions, and just two weeks later learned that a survivor was quickly able to activate her safety plan, where she received a motion alert that alerted her that her abuser was approaching her home, with a weapon," said Raquel Medrano, with Amazon Public Policy.

There are some 78 agencies statewide combatting domestic violence, and a half-million-dollar donation in these devices and their subscriptions should go some way to protect people.

Those needing assistance can contact Raoul's Violence Prevention and Crime Victim Services Division by visiting the Illinois Attorney General's website or by calling 1-800-228-3368. Individuals with hearing or speech disabilities can connect by using the 711 relay service.

You can contact the Illinois domestic violence hotline at 1-877-863-6338 click here for more information.