Illinois Library Program to Help
Domestic Violence Victims
A program announced October 29 by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White would provide librarians across the state with materials and training on how to refer victims of sexual assault and domestic violence to local shelters and other agencies.
“Most communities have a library where people go to get information,” Randy Nehrt, a spokesman for White’s office, said in the November 28 Freeport (Ill.) Journal-Standard. “We felt it would be helpful if libraries have more information about domestic violence.”
Mary Freidag, executive director of the Freeport YWCA, told the Journal-Standard that the library would be a community center that abusers would likely allow their victims to visit, without arousing suspicions. “It could be a more anonymous way for victims to get information,” she said. The YWCA offers domestic violence programs for victims from emergency shelter and counseling to job skills training.
The training will be coordinated through regional library systems and will focus on educating librarians on the cycle of violence in domestic situations and the types of counseling available to victims.
Posted December 3, 2001.
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