Chicago's first Family Justice Center opens for Cook County domestic violence survivors

CHICAGO (WLS) -- There was a ribbon cutting Monday for a new family justice center in Chicago.

It's a place where survivors of domestic violence can feel safe.

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The Cook County state's attorney says domestic violence continues to go up in Cook County. So, the need for support is real.

The new center is located at 3410 W. Van Buren St. in the Garfield Park neighborhood.

It will begin to welcome adults in a few weeks.

The Chicago Advocacy Network for Hope is the latest initiative to connect people experiencing domestic violence with resources, such as housing, legal aid and mental health services.

Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neil Burke was there Monday morning for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

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Since taking office, Burke says her administration has made combating domestic violence a top priority.

She says her office has created a Special Victims Bureau, which focuses on domestic violence crimes, as well as sexual assault, crimes against children and hate crimes.

"We've had 43 women killed, since I took office, violated in a domestic-violence-related murder. Domestic violence arrests now comprise a 26% increase over a year ago. That's not tenable. We cannot accept that," Burke said.

Burke says centers like these help strengthen the relationship between survivors and law enforcement, and improve victim participation in cases.

The Chicago Advocacy Network for Hope, or CAN Hope, program director says the new center is meant to give survivors a sense of hope.

"Very often, when people are experiencing domestic violence, they are isolated by the people that are harming them, and lose any feeling of hope that their life could be different, that they or their children could actually be safe. When they come in here, we want them to feel that there is a whole community of people working together to help them," Colleen Montgomery said.

A referral is needed to get connected to CAN Hope.

The goal is to eventually have the center open 24/7, so anyone can access services.