Background Information
On this page:
Meet the Research Team
Dr. Kathryn Bocanegra is the Co-Principal Investigator of the study. She is an Assistant Professor at the Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois Chicago.
Dr. Julian Thompson is the Co-Principal Investigator of the study. He is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Criminology, Law & Justice at the University of Illinois Chicago.
Christina Danielson is a Research Assistant from the class of University of Illinois Chicago Law 2024.
Christina Danielson, MA
Jeanette Lee is a Research Assistant.
Jeanette Lee, A.M, LCSW, JD
Jose Iniguez is a Research Assistant.
Jose Iniguez, M.Ed, MBA, MSW, CGP, CADC, NCC, LCPC, LCSW, PhD
Victims and Survivors
Terminology
When describing the aftermath of violence, various terms and labels have been used to describe the people who lives with these experiences. “Victims” and “Survivors” are most frequently used, however they may be interpreted differentially. Most federal and state policy uses the term “victim”. The word victim captures the experience of harm, but may be perceived as focusing on what happened to the individual rather than the individual themselves. The word survivor is perceived to capture the strength and resiliency of individuals in the aftermath of violence, and could be considered a more empowering word to use. Ultimately the choice of terms and labels should be determined by those who have survived violence. On this website the term “victim” has been retained when referencing state and federal policy, and the term “survivor” is used in all other narrative text.
A Survivor-Centric Approach
How was this website developed?
In 2022 and 2023 the research team reviewed all existing Illinois and Federal policies relevant to survivors of violence. These policies were identified using legal search databases, victim advocacy guides, coalition databases and newsletters, consulting with criminal legal experts on victim policy, the Illinois General Assembly website and databases, the Office for Victims of Crime website and databases, and victimlaw.org. These resources are helpful but often organized in a way that is confusing to navigate, especially for crime victims. This website is survivor-centric, and organizes information in a way that is relevant and accessible to crime victims.
Policies May Change
A note to advocates
The research team acknowledges that policies change over time. The information relayed here was summarized in 2022 and 2023; to the best of their knowledge, the policies summarized here have not changed. If there are new policies you would like to see included on the website, please reach out to Dr. Kathryn Bocanegra at ksacla2@uic.edu or Dr. Julian Thompson at juliant@uic.edu.
The information relayed on this website is part of a larger research project examining the experiences of Criminalized Survivors. The broader project examines systems, policies, and practices that perpetuate harm among survivors of violence. The research team conducted a comparative case study of 2 Chicago neighborhoods examining how crime victim policies are implemented and enacted by intermediaries and local stakeholders, and how policy is experienced by survivors of violence. If you are interested in the broader set of findings associated with the project, please reach out to Dr. Bocanegra or Dr. Thompson.
Thanks for the Support
Funding
The research team is thankful for the support of the Michael Reese Health Trust and the Polk Brothers Foundation. Their financial support aided the research behind the development of this information hub.
Review Your Rights
As a crime survivor in Illinois, these are your rights on both a state and federal level.
What Do You Need?
As a survivor of violence in Illinois, you may be eligible for support with financial needs, housing, medical costs, mental health services, funeral or burial costs, relocation costs, and more. Based on what happened to you, you may be eligible for different services and supports. Click here to see which policies can provide access to these supports.
Eligibility and Access
Policies outlining rights and services afforded to crime victims often involve definitions of who is considered a victim and what they must do to access services. Read through this section to better understand how to navigate policies intended to support survivors.
Illinois Policies
Here you can find a complete listing of Illinois policies related to services or supports available to crime victims. Each of these policies that enables access to services has eligibility requirements. Please use the hyperlinks available to review the eligibility requirements.