Peoria Police selling purple patches and shirts to raise money, spotlight victim services during Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Peoria — Charice Cruz, victim assistance coordinator for the Peoria Police Department, said the department is selling purple patches and shirts this October to raise funds and awareness for Domestic Violence Awareness Month and to support survivor services.

The effort is intended to raise money for both Angels on Patrol and an identified shelter in the community through a partnership with a Walmart in North Peoria, Cruz said. "They have coordinated with Angels on Patrol, so proceeds will go to them," she said. "In addition to that, the department has partnered up with Walmart in North Peoria and the proceeds to that will go to a identified shelter in the community." The shelter's name was not specified in the segment.

Cruz described the daily role of victim advocates attached to the police department. "Being a victim advocate at a police station, our roles vary on a daily basis. But ultimately our goal is to provide supports and resources to victims of various crimes," she said. She said advocates respond to scenes when law enforcement requests them, meet survivors in the community, and provide telephonic outreach.

She listed services advocates provide after initial contact: identifying individual needs; informing people of their victim rights; offering safety planning resources; assisting with applying for order protections; explaining the investigative and criminal justice process; and accompanying survivors through that process. "We can also be in attendance of that process with them," Cruz said.

On encouraging those who suspect someone is being harmed, Cruz urged contact and nonjudgmental support. "If you're going through something, have no shame and reach out. Go to a trusted person, whether it's a family member or friend, a resource in the community. There's programs, law enforcement and advocacy centers all around," she said. She added that friends and family should engage those they suspect are being harmed "without judgment."

The interview emphasized that advocacy and support are year-round services; Cruz noted that while October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, "this is something that you are in and involved with every single day of every month." The segment did not provide contact details or the precise shelter name for donations.