DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — The Macon County State’s Attorney’s Office has added a new position aimed at helping victims of domestic violence navigate the justice system.
State’s Attorney Diane Couri has hired longtime law enforcement officer Shannon Gutierrez Seal as a part-time domestic violence investigator. It's a move Couri said that is already changing lives across the community.
The idea came after noticing the widespread problem in Macon County. Couri said the majority of arrests right now are domestic violence, domestic battery, violation of an order of protection, and domestic-related arrests.
“We really wanted to devote more resources to domestic violence prosecution and to the victims. That is a huge problem in our community.”
Gutierrez Seal, a 27-year veteran of law enforcement and former domestic violence liaison for the Decatur Police Department, began her work with the State’s Attorney’s Office earlier this year. Couri said Gutierrez Seal's experience and compassion made her a perfect fit for the job.
“We have had so many victims say they’ve never had anyone reach out to them,” Couri said. “They’ve never had anyone see them where they are. We bring them in, go to court with them, and get that criminal order of protection so they’re not alone.”
Since joining the team, Gutierrez Seal has been visiting victims in person. Those visits are the next day, while the abuser is still in jail. Gutierrez Seal told WAND News that by meeting the victim where they are, the process is hopefully less intimidating.
Oftentimes, that is the next day, while the abuser is still behind bars. — to help them through an intimidating process.
“Lots of people don’t answer phone calls,” Gutierrez Seal said. “When someone’s standing right there telling you, ‘I know what happened, it’s not right,’ it hits different.”
Chief of the Criminal Division Caelyn Deeb praised the impact of the new position, calling it an “amazing gift” to the office.
“Domestic violence is a very different kind of crime,” she said. “Relationships have been formed. People have attachments, they have monetary issues, maybe even childcare issues. Having Shannon go out there and have that immediate contact with a victim lets them know our office is here. We care. We’re not trying to do this to you — we’re trying to do this for you”.
The goal of the new investigator is to reach every victim as soon as possible after an arrest. Gutierrez Seal will help collect additional evidence, provide emotional support, and strengthen prosecutions.
“She can collect photographs of injuries, talk to neighbors who heard things, and do additional work on the cases to give us stronger prosecution, stronger evidence, stronger outcomes,” Couri said.
Both Couri and Deeb emphasized that domestic violence is not a private problem; it’s a community issue that requires action from everyone.
“When someone is threatened, hurt, or abused behind closed doors, they need to be protected,” Couri said. “When we address this problem, we’re addressing generations to come”.
Deeb echoed that call, urging bystanders to take reports seriously.
“Some of our best cases are ones where other people got involved,” she said. “Good people are out there saying, ‘I’m going to get involved because this is not right,’ and that makes a much stronger case”.
All three women called on community support. They emphasized that if someone hears something or notices something isn't right, they should call the police right away.
“Be part of the solution. Sometimes, that neighbor calling it in is the strength in our case. That’s what helps us prosecute and protect," Couri said.
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