Domestic violence watchdog looks to expand

A domestic violence watchdog group will mark its first year later this month by recruiting more volunteers and issuing a report on cases from spring through December 2010.

Fox Valley Court Watch began last year to monitor domestic violence cases, its goal to ensure the rights of victims are protected and their abusers are held accountable.

About 1,500 cases are logged each year in Kane County and the group has a band of 40 or so volunteers to sit in on morning and afternoon court calls, chart results and report on the county’s strengths and weaknesses.

“Are we looking for more (volunteers)? Yes, we are,” said Kenya Andrews, a board member and volunteer who says she grew up in a home plagued by domestic violence. “We pretty much cover all the cases. Every case is important. That’s why we’re there.”

The program was modeled after a similar initiative in DeKalb and aims to be constructive — not threatening — when assessing the county’s judicial response.

The year’s first training session will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 1 at the St. Charles Police Station, 211 N. Riverside Drive.

Andrews said the day also will include guest speakers and the first glimpse of the report prepared for Judge F. Keith Brown, who is chief judge of the 16th Judicial Circuit, which includes Kane, DeKalb and Kendall counties.

Volunteers are asked to commit to one morning or afternoon a month for six months.

For more information on how to volunteer, visit kanecountycourtwatch.org.

Last fall, former Kane County State’s Attorney John Barsanti launched a program through which first-time domestic violence misdemeanor arrestees could have their records expunged if they plead guilty, get the victim’s consent, attend counseling and stay out of trouble for 10 years.

Andrews said the Court Watch is still evaluating the program and has not taken a position on it yet.