Attleboro Police Advocate for Victims of Sexual Assault and Violence

One in every three women in the world has been beaten, sexually coerced or abused, according to Jane Doe Inc., a Boston-based victims advocacy group. The group also reports that Massachusetts has seen an increase in domestic violence in recent years. In fact, there were 222 domestic violence homicides in the state between 2003 and 2010 — 135 of those victims were women.

While those statistics may be shocking to the average person, they are not a surprise to people like "Ilanna", who advocate and provide support to Attleboro victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Ilanna, who like other victims' advocates does not disclose her last name, has been hired as the New Hope/ liaison to address the number of domestic violence incidents that occur in Attleboro, according to Attleboro Police. Ilanna is employed by , a support group for victims of sexual and domestic violence, and paid through grants from the United Way. 

Ilanna will work out of the Attleboro Police station to provide victims of domestic and sexual assault with advice, police say. She will also arrange counseling for victims and be tasked with conducting daily reviews of police reports involving domestic violence and consulting with investigating officers. 

More than just providing victims with an ear or a shoulder to cry, Ilanna will help victims find legal assistance, support with utility payments and finding a safe place to stay. 

Along with her duties as advocate for Attleboro victims, Ilanna will also be Attleboro Police liaison to SAFEPLAN, the state-wide, court-based program of the Massachusetts Office of Victim Assistance. 

Attleboro Police encourage anyone regardless of age, gender or sexual orientation to contact Ilanna at 508-223-2233 or toll free at 800-323-4673. All calls are kept confidential, according to police.