ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The Rockford Mayor’s Office of Domestic & Community Violence Prevention says more victims are showing signs of serious, even life-threatening abuse.
More victims are at risk of being killed
According to a report to be shared with the City Council’s Planning and Development Committee on February 23, the city’s lethality screening shows 72% of survivors were at high risk of being killed, and 57% had been strangled at some point.
The report noted that strangulation was one of the strongest warning signs for future homicide.
Rockford’s partnership with UW Health SwedishAmerican showed the same trend: of 20 survivors treated, 11 had been strangled, and three were pregnant.
Schools taking on teen dating violence
According to the report, Rockford Public Schools have spent the last year rolling out a Teen Dating Violence Toolkit. Counselors and principals have completed multiple training sessions, with a district-wide follow-up test planned in March.
Human trafficking cases involve local teens
The city’s Human Trafficking Task Force continues to work with cases involving teens aged 12-17. Most referrals come from Juvenile Probation, the report said. Rockford also trained first responders, including police, fire, EMS and healthcare workers, to how to spot and respond to human trafficking.
More children exposed to violence are receiving help
The city’s Community Healing Center has now served 221 youth, with 81 still active in the programs. Staff said they had reached nearly 1,900 people through community outreach and recorded 12 cases where youth disclosed exploitation or victimization. More than half the children surveyed showed improvement in conflict resolution and decision-making…