Since its inception in 1988, the Anti-Violence Project (AVP) has assisted
thousands of victims of anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender
(LGBT) hate crimes, domestic violence, sexual assault, discrimination,
and police misconduct. Our staff and trained volunteers counsel, support,
and advocate for all victims and survivors of such violence.
All AVP victim
services are free and confidential.
The 24-Hour Crisis Hotline, (773) 871-CARE, operates 365 days-a-year,
and lies at the core of our AVP program. Staff and volunteers with over
45 hours of training provide callers with crisis intervention, emotional
support, education, and referrals concerning hate crimes, domestic violence,
police misconduct, sexual assault, and discrimination. Crisis Hotline
counselors maintain the client's privacy and adhere to a strict confidentiality
policy. Counselors will not leave messages on answering machines or with
someone other than the caller.
To ensure consistent and sensitive response, the Crisis Hotline follows
strict procedures. When a call is received, an operator will ask for name,
nature of situation, and level of urgency. If the caller needs immediate
attention, a Crisis Hotline counselor is paged and will make at least
three attempts to contact the caller over a 45-minute period. Callers
unable to wait for and accept a return phone call are asked to call the
Hotline back from a safe and private telephone. Once the Hotline counselor
contacts the victim or survivor, the counselor will determine if the incident
being reported fits the legal definition of a hate crime. If the incident
is classified as a hate crime and the caller wants to pursue legal action,
AVP counselors will provide information and assistance.
Only emergency calls should be made to the Crisis Hotline. Non-emergency
calls for the Anti-Violence Project should be directed to the Anti-Violence Project Manager at (773) 472-6469, ext. 244.
AVP: Advocacy
One of AVP's primary program components is advocacy for victims and survivors.
As advocates, staff members work to ensure that survivors of violence
and discrimination receive sensitive, appropriate, and timely responses
from the police, employers, legal representatives, and others. AVP staff
also provides assistance in securing free or low-cost legal counsel and
in filing for monetary compensation as applicable by law.
In addition, AVP staff members are available to explain local and state
laws regarding violence and discrimination to individuals, agencies, and
government entities. They are also able to discuss the processes of criminal
prosecution, incident reporting, and civil lawsuits.
AVP: Community Education
The best protection is education. On a regular basis, AVP facilitates
training seminars, community forums, and collaborations with other organizations
to educate the community on the issues of violence and discrimination.
In addition, AVP staff and volunteers provide sensitivity training to
law enforcement agencies, court personnel, government agencies or any
other organization that recognizes the need for greater sensitivity to
issues of homophobia and violence.
Additionally, AVP provides trained facilitators to groups and organizations
to educate their members on issues of violence, discrimination, safety,
and advocacy. This service is fee based. For further information, contact
the Anti-Violence Project Manager at (773) 472-6469, ext.
244.
AVP: Incident Documentation
It is estimated that over 80% of the attacks on lesbian, gay, bisexual,
or transgender people are never reported. Even if victims and/or witnesses
don't report incidents of violence and discrimination to the police, it
is important that they report these incidents to Center on Halsted's Anti-Violence
Project because these reports underlie AVP's advocacy work and help to
define the problems and develop appropriate responses.
Working with law enforcement agencies, AVP reports documented incidents
to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Projects each year. The NCAVP
utilizes this information to predict national trends and communicate the
severity and pervasiveness of these crimes.
AVP: Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer opportunities exist in several areas of Center on Halsted's Anti-Violence
Project. If you are interested in volunteering for the Anti-Violence Project,
please contact the Anti-Violence Project Manager at (773) 472-6469, ext.
244.
The Anti-Violence Project is partially funded by: Lead Corporate Sponsor
Since its inception in 1988, the Anti-Violence Project (AVP) has assisted
thousands of victims of anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender
(LGBT) hate crimes, domestic violence, sexual assault, discrimination,
and police misconduct. Our staff and trained volunteers counsel, support,
and advocate for all victims and survivors of such violence. 
The 24-Hour Crisis Hotline, (773) 871-CARE, operates 365 days-a-year,
and lies at the core of our AVP program. Staff and volunteers with over
45 hours of training provide callers with crisis intervention, emotional
support, education, and referrals concerning hate crimes, domestic violence,
police misconduct, sexual assault, and discrimination. Crisis Hotline
counselors maintain the client's privacy and adhere to a strict confidentiality
policy. Counselors will not leave messages on answering machines or with
someone other than the caller.
One of AVP's primary program components is advocacy for victims and survivors.
As advocates, staff members work to ensure that survivors of violence
and discrimination receive sensitive, appropriate, and timely responses
from the police, employers, legal representatives, and others. AVP staff
also provides assistance in securing free or low-cost legal counsel and
in filing for monetary compensation as applicable by law.
The best protection is education. On a regular basis, AVP facilitates
training seminars, community forums, and collaborations with other organizations
to educate the community on the issues of violence and discrimination.
In addition, AVP staff and volunteers provide sensitivity training to
law enforcement agencies, court personnel, government agencies or any
other organization that recognizes the need for greater sensitivity to
issues of homophobia and violence.
It is estimated that over 80% of the attacks on lesbian, gay, bisexual,
or transgender people are never reported. Even if victims and/or witnesses
don't report incidents of violence and discrimination to the police, it
is important that they report these incidents to Center on Halsted's Anti-Violence
Project because these reports underlie AVP's advocacy work and help to
define the problems and develop appropriate responses.
Volunteer opportunities exist in several areas of Center on Halsted's Anti-Violence
Project. If you are interested in volunteering for the Anti-Violence Project,
please contact the Anti-Violence Project Manager at (773) 472-6469, ext.
244.
