In December, the Illinois Supreme Court held that Helen Calloway, a Central Illinois woman, has a right to sue Effingham County and its sheriff in accordance with the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986. Calloway’s complaint alleged that the sheriff failed to recognize an order of protection by not shielding her from her husband, who allegedly abducted her at gunpoint from her workplace in 1991. Calloway’s husband later committed suicide, and she escaped unharmed.

It’s very important that law enforcement and all of the key players in the community recognize that domestic violence is a crime and we are taking it very seriously, Rebecca Payne, executive director of Women’s Center, said. And people who do not treat it as such are liable.

We have a good relationship with the Carbondale Police Department.

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Carbondale police officers take domestic violence cases very seriously, Don Strom, Carbondale Police chief said.

Our policy is pro-arrest, Strom said. If we have probable cause to believe violence is occurring, by policy, we will make an arrest.

Carbondale Police officers do not try to mediate domestic violence situations, Pam Green, Carbondale Police crime victim advocate, said. She said the police just make arrests when women are faced with potential harm.

Our officers are concerned with the woman’s safety, she said.

Domestic violence cases are referred to Green, who does follow-up research and offers support to the victims, Green said.

I offer referrals and encouragement for the women, she said. I think the more information we give to them will help them make the decision to leave before great harm is done to them.

On average, battered women will leave the abuser five to seven times before permanently leaving the abuser, Green said.

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Hopefully, they will eventually leave, Green said.

Green said she receives approximately 14 or 15 cases a month. Last year, 175 domestic battery cases were referred to her office. The number of battery cases does not include cases of harassment or criminal sexual assault by a spouse, Green said.

The Jackson County State’s Attorney Office has also taken a strong stand against domestic violence, Green said.

We believe that domestic violence is a crime and not a family matter, Mary Hughes, Jackson County State’s Attorney victim witness advocate, said.

After a woman makes a complaint, the State’s Attorney reviews the case and decides whether or not to file criminal charges on behalf of the people of the state, she said.

In some cases, after the crisis has subsided, the victim feels remorse for initiating the complaint and requests dismissal of the charge, Hughes said.

However, because the charges are filed on behalf of the state, the State’s Attorney will not dismiss the charge solely on the basis of a victim’s request, she said. This unwritten philosophy is referred to as a no-drop policy, she said.

Only the State determines whether or not to pursue the charges, Hughes said.

The victim is called to testify in the case, regardless of whether or not they want the alleged abuser to face prosecution, she said.

The victim’s role goes from becoming a victim to becoming a witness, Hughes said. The purpose of the no-drop philosophy is to educate persons who come into contact with the criminal justice system that domestic violence is a very serious crime.

Many domestic violence victims in the area are referred to the Women’s Center in Carbondale, Hughes said.

Last year, 585 battered women and children sought help from the Women’s Center, 408 W. Freeman, Payne said.

The center provides shelter for women and children in a five-county area, Mary Kay Bachman, shelter coordinator, said.

Anyone fleeing from abuse can stay here, she said.

The Women’s Center provides free and confidential help and is staffed by 50 volunteers, Payne said. At the shelter, women meet with case managers who help them define goals to become free from domestic violence.

We help women work towards their goals, whether it be to find a place to live or find a job, Payne said. We help them prepare for job interviews, and we have clothes they can wear to the interviews. We also get orders of protection for women.