Victim Services
We Provide Victim Services
Counseling Services
At the Crisis Center for South Suburbia, we know that receiving counseling support in a safe, secure, non-judgmental environment can have a positive impact on the healing journey of individuals impacted by domestic violence. The Crisis Center for South Suburbia offers free, confidential, trauma-informed counseling services to adults and children who have experienced or witnessed domestic violence. Counseling services are available to individuals regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Each year, our counselors provide over 2,000 hours of counseling to over 300 adults and children.
Individual counseling services are available for adults and children in English and Spanish. Clients will work one-on-one with a counselor to set goals for counseling, develop a safety plan, learn how to identify signs of abuse and the cycle of violence, process their experiences related to abuse, strengthen coping strategies, and explore their options for moving forward and healing. We also hold a weekly support group for adults to provide clients a chance to share their stories with others and decrease feelings of isolation. All of our counseling services are free of charge, and are provided by Masters-level therapists that are licensed in the State of Illinois in the field of counseling or social work.
For more information or to complete a counseling intake and schedule a counseling session, please call our hotline at 708-429-7233.
Court Advocacy Services
Forms of abuse that are against the law
- Physical Abuse such as pushing, shoving, spitting at or biting you, slapping, punching, kicking or strangling you or hurting you with a weapon.
- Emotional Abuse such as assault, aggravated assault (threatening you with a weapon), harassment through phone calls and texting, stalking, interfering from dialing 911 to obtain emergency assistance.
- Sexual Abuse
Know your options and rights
If you experience domestic violence:
- Report the incident to the police. If a criminal offense was committed, sign complaints.
- Obtain an order of protection. You can obtain an order of protection in civil or criminal court to increase your level of safety.
- Provide a copy of the order of protection to your local police department.
- Contact our 24-hour hotline for emergency shelter and/or referrals, or to make an appointment with a counselor for safety planning, education on domestic violence and emotional support.
- Contact a domestic violence advocate to provide support, act a liaison between you and the prosecutor and provide legal referrals.
- Inform your relatives and friends of your situation.
- Inquire about additional legal remedies available for victims of domestic violence.
