Our Priorities
Prevent Domestic Violence
We work to break the cycle of violence by supporting both survivors and those who cause harm.
Not Just A Personal Issue
Domestic violence is a public health crisis that affects us all. The pervasive impact of domestic violence means that it affects not only the immediate victims, but also families and communities at large. By helping both survivors and those who cause harm, we can stop the cycle of abuse.
-
To truly end domestic violence, we must not only provide care for survivors but also stop violence at its source.
This requires intervention, accountability, and rehabilitation for those who cause harm, creating solutions that protect families, and breaking the cycle of abuse.
-
Survivors continue to need comprehensive support.
Survivors of domestic violence face severe risks, including increased rates of homicide, suicide, and brain injury.
-
When an abusive partner has access to a gun, victims are five times more likely to be killed.
This highlights the connection between domestic violence and gun violence, another deeply entrenched societal challenge.
Our Approach
By addressing the root causes of violence and providing support for both survivors and those who cause harm, we can work towards breaking the cycle of violence.
We focus our efforts on two areas:
Helping People Who Cause Harm (PWCH): Strengthening programs that use proven methods to prevent and reduce repeat violence and improve outcomes for families and communities.
Treating Head Injuries: Creating systems to identify and treat domestic violence-related head injuries, which impact up to 75% of survivors and can cause lasting health issues if untreated.
Featured Work
Uncharted Terrain: Mapping the PWCH Landscape
Increasing supports for People Who Cause Harm (PWCH) is still a relatively new way of thinking about preventing DV and increasing survivor safety. To inform how Michael Reese and others fund and advocate in this area, we are supporting a landscape scan and gap analysis of existing PWCH services, policies, national best practices, and funding streams. This study is being led by the Smith Child Health Catalyst Center at Lurie Children’s Hospital and is funded in partnership with the VNA Foundation.
Forging a Path to TBI Recovery
While there’s no cure for traumatic brain injury (TBI), early intervention can make all the difference. Michael Reese’s grantee partner WINGS is collaborating with partner agencies and local hospitals to create a toolkit for DV survivors who are experiencing TBI. This critical resource will help ensure survivors get the support they need to confirm their diagnosis and move towards recovery.
Empowering Survivors to Drive Change
Michael Reese’s longtime partner The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence recently launched a guaranteed basic income (GBI) pilot project for survivors of domestic violence (DV). This project recognizes the importance of providing unrestricted support to survivors, who are in the best position to know how to meet their immediate and long-term needs. Research on similar GBI projects has shown that unrestricted support increases survivor safety and reduces the need for survivors to return to their abuser.
Let's Connect
Questions? Reach out at hello@wearemichaelreese.org