Chicago, take action.

Chicago, take action.

Join many others and sign the pledge.


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About the Pledge

When you take the pledge, you’re making a difference.

Chicago Says No More is focused on ending the silence and changing the way that America talks about—and doesn’t talk about—domestic violence and sexual assault. It’s about ending the excuses and misinformation that are used to shelter this American epidemic.

 

This needs to be a truly national conversation. And for that to happen, Chicago needs to lend its voice, to pledge and to say: No More.

3,364
PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED THE PLEDGE TO SAY NO MORE

About Us

Learn more about Chicago Says No More

Chicago Says No More is dedicated to addressing the challenges of domestic violence and sexual assault in the Chicago metro area and across Illinois. It is aligned with the national NO MORE campaign that was started by a coalition of leading advocacy groups, service providers, and major corporations.

 

The initial goals of Chicago Says No More are to:

  • Marshal resources of the Chicago metro area to combat domestic violence and sexual assault.
  • Change the culture and conversation about domestic violence and sexual assault so citizens can make a difference.
  • Provide fresh, innovative ways to leverage resources offered by myriad not-for-profit domestic violence and sexual assault organizations by establishing system-wide solutions to challenges they experience.

Everybody gets a wake-up call. Mine was the shooting tragedy at Nordstrom on Michigan Avenue in Chicago last November when 22-year-old University of Chicago student Nadia Ezaldein was murdered by her ex-boyfriend. Not just a murder, but the tragic end to an abusive relationship—I was shocked to recognize that this, too, was domestic violence.

 

The problem is that this happens every day in many different kinds of places and within families in all social and economic groups where it doesn’t always garner the same amount of attention. The level of incidence is alarming.

 

Domestic violence and sexual assault thrive when people turn a blind eye – making excuses, not wanting to get involved. But now it’s time. Please join me and other Chicagoans in saying: No More.

Kristie Paskvan
Founder, Chicago Says No More

Steering committee

Kristie Paskvan, Founder

Chicago Says No More

Chief Financial Officer Mesirow Financial

 

Deanne Benos, Executive Director

TEST400K

 

Lauran Bromley

 

Debbie Buckley, Director

Community Partnerships & Business Development

CBS 2 Chicago

 

Joyce M. Coffee, CEO

Executive Director

Family Rescue, Inc.

 

Daniel J. Conti, Ph.D., Managing Director

Employee Assistance & WorkLife Program

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

 

Rev. Charles W. Dahm, O.P., Director

Domestic Violence Outreach

Archdiocese of Chicago

 

Rebecca Darr, Chief Executive Officer

WINGS

 

Pat Davenport, Executive Director

A Safe Place

 

Kathy Doherty, Executive Director

Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network

 

Ellie Forman, Manager

Corporate Community Relations

Mesirow Financial

 

Neusa Gaytan, Senior Vice President

Programs

Mujeres Latinas en Acción

 

Rachel Haas, Manager

Communications & Digital

NO MORE

 

Qadira Harris, Lead Consultant

Corporate Social Responsibility

Allstate Foundation

 

Keri Holleb Hotaling, Partner

Jenner & Block LLP

 

Linda Imonti, Principal

Advisory Services

KPMG LLP

 

Annie Krug, Executive Director of Institutional Affairs

The John Marshall Law School

 

Maria C. Lin, Director

Human Resources

Northwestern Medicine

 

Mary MacLaren, Retired Executive Director

The Executives’ Club of Chicago

Sharmili Majmudar, Executive Director

Rape Victim Advocates

 

Yesenia Maldonado, Executive Director

Between Friends

 

Jessica McCarihan, Board President

A New Direction

 

Dr. Alicen-J. McGowan, LCPC

Child Psychotherapist

 

Dorri McWhorter, Chief Executive Officer

YWCA Metropolitan Chicago

 

Vicki Meilach, ICDVP, Community Outreach Coordinator

South Suburban Family Shelter, Inc.

 

Polly Poskin, Executive Director

Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault

 

Jessica Punzo, Psy.D., Director

Anti-Violence Project

Center on Halsted

 

Valerie Reynolds, Communications Director

Ci3

University of Chicago

 

Shawnelle Richie, Director

Communications & Public Affairs

CBS 2 Chicago

 

Amy Rubin, Senior Director

Community Services

Jewish Child & Family Services

 

Vickie Smith, CEO

Executive Director

Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence

 

Julie Smolyansky, Founder

TEST400K

 

Morgan Soloski, Manager

Marketing & Communications

Joyful Heart Foundation

 

Charlie Stoops, PhD, Co-Founder

Center for Advancing Domestic Peace Inc.

Dean

Graduate School of Social Work

Dominican University

 

Mary Toomey, Vice President, Human Resources

Bank of America

 

Jennifer Welch, First Deputy Commissioner

City of Chicago

Department of Family and Support Services

 

Kim Wells, Executive Director

Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence

Resources

For victims, witnesses and loved ones

Remember that you are not to blame for being abused or mistreated, and that you are not the cause of your abuser’s behavior. You deserve to be treated with respect, and deserve a safe and happy life. And remember that you are not alone. There are people waiting to help you.

Domestic violence resources

 

Hotline

 

Local resources

National resources

Sexual assault resources

 

Hotline

  • Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline                                                  (Operated by YWCA Metropolitan Chicago)
    888.293.2080

 

Local resources

 

National resources

 

For legal assistance

    • Life Span
      312.408.1210
      Offers legal representation to empower survivors of domestic and sexual violence

For the abuser

If you think you might be an abuser, you should remember:

  • Abuse is always a choice. Don’t make excuses or blame others.
  • Think about the consequences of your abuse.
  • Accept that you have hurt people.
  • Do not try to justify your actions.
  • Accept the personal and legal consequences of your actions.

  • Get help. A good rehabilitation program will help you stop being abusive and will make better relationships possible.
  • If you have a partner, respect their right to be safe and healthy as you work toward change, even if it means you cannot be together.
  • Changing is a difficult but necessary process. But you are not alone.

National resources

Local resources

  • Center for Advancing Domestic Peace Inc.
    312.265.0206
    A project to provide partner abuse intervention services and teach relationship skills that can help program participants end their violence
  • Hope at St. Pius V
    312.226.6161
    Helps the whole family – those who suffer violence, perpetrate violence or witness violence – free itself and heal its wounds
  • IPDAV – Lake County
    847.249.0005

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE: 1-877-863-6338

SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE: 1-888-293-2080

Our blog

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE: 877.863.6338

SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE: 888.293.2080

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