Help for victims of violence digitized
As reported by the The Hinsdalean (Ken Knutson reporting) on March 4, 2026:
DuPage County officials are working to more quickly and safely furnish domestic violence victims with critical support resources.
At the Hinsdale Village Board meeting Tuesday, representatives of the Family Violence Coordinating Council introduced trustees to a QR code that links directly to a centralized list of services available to victims throughout the county, including the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, DuPage County Health Department, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, Family Shelter Service and dozens of other support organizations.
DuPage County Circuit Court Judge and council member Ann Celine Walsh invoked the term “epidemic” to characterize domestic violence.
“The most arrests in DuPage County, as is pretty typical nationwide, are for domestic-related incidents,” she told trustees.
Holding up a flyer featuring the QR code, Walsh said that the digital tool is aimed at reducing barriers so victims can more readily access resources.
She explained that until recently, police were responsible for handing an information sheet to the person reporting a domestic incident who was experiencing trauma — possibly in the presence of the alleged perpetrator.
“What we came up with was a QR code to have one centralized space for DuPage County residents and those who are abused in DuPage County of where they can get resources, where they can find housing” said Walsh, a St. Isaac Jogues and Hinsdale Central alum. “How do I obtain an order of protection? If I’ve been sexually assaulted, how do I contact the YWCA?”
The collaborative effort was previously rolled out for law enforcement throughout the county, Walsh noted, and the code is now being posted in public places such as hospital emergency rooms, libraries, and restaurants and bars to “hopefully get survivors the tools that they need, the resources that they need as well as, in the courtroom setting, (provide) the abusers, or the persons who harm, the kind of intervention and treatment that they need.”
DuPage County Board Commissioner Kari Galassi of Hinsdale, who is also a council member, reiterated Walsh’s comments.
“The goal of the initiative is to place this QR code in highly visible yet discreet locations throughout the community so that individuals experiencing physical or emotional harm can easily connect to help,” Galassi said.
In introductory remarks, Village President Greg Hart praised the council for its work “to emphasize domestic violence prevention through strength in services, comprehensive systems, protocol development, public education, professional training and information sharing.
“Their work reminds us that strong communities are not defined only by infrastructure or by amenities but by how we support those who are most vulnerable,” Hart stated.
Walsh said the group’s goal is to ensure no victim is unable to get the assistance they need.
“Right now our QR code can be found in over 250 locations throughout DuPage County, and we haven’t even scratched the surface,” Walsh said. “This could be relevant to anyone, and it can save a life.”
Original story by Ken Knutson can be found at https://www.thehinsdalean.com/story/2026/03/05/news/help-for-victims-of-violence-digitized/10569.html