Domestic violence is all too common in the U.S. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, more than 12 million people experience some form of domestic violence in any given year. In Illinois, domestic violence is defined as any act of abuse that is perpetrated toward a family or household member. Abuse can be emotional, physical, or sexual in nature. Domestic violence can occur between parents and children, step-parents and step-children, romantic partners, people who have a child in common, people who are married or were once married or people who live together or once lived together. Domestic violence can put the safety of everyone in the family at risk, but fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your family.
What is an Order of Protection?
An order of protection is a legal order that can help protect victims of domestic violence. The order is given by a judge and can prohibit an abuser from doing certain things and likewise can order an abuser to do certain things or face consequences. An order of protection can:
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