Juliet’s Story, “What Safety Really Means”

Posted by Sarah Swiston
On October 12, 2026
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“I knew I needed to call the police.

I knew I needed the order of protection.

I was in the weeds. I thought that I was in danger in that moment and moments afterwards.

And this phone call allowed me to find a place to be.” ~Juliet, Survivor

Juliet was one of the nearly 70,000 contacts made last year to the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline. This represents an 181% increase since the pandemic.

She connected with WINGS, the largest provider of domestic violence services in Illinois. Since 1985, WINGS has provided more than 1.5 million nights of safe housing and has helped thousands of survivors with comprehensive services to rebuild their lives.

Hear firsthand how Juliet’s experience with counseling and support groups at WINGS Foglia Family Resource Center (FFRC) helped her to heal.

Support groups and counseling at WINGS FFRC helped Juliet gain inner strength, gain perspective on what safety really means, and affirmed to her that the experiences she had were experienced by others. She has found empowerment through a community of survivors at WINGS FFRC.

“WINGS has provided me a true place to be myself and grow,” Juliet shares.

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Your generosity helps survivors like Juliet find safety and realize their value. Our community is stronger when we are all able to grow and work toward our full potential.

Thank you for standing with survivors during Domestic Violence Awareness Month and throughout the year.

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