According to the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in three women and one in seven men are victims of domestic violence. Abuse and harassment between family or household members is a problem that many people keep hidden. Sadly, many abusive relationships escalate until the victim is severely injured or even killed. An order of protection is a court order that can help protect a victim from further abuse. However, many domestic violence victims do not obtain this valuable legal protection because they are unsure if the actions of a spouse or family member are considered abuse under Illinois law.
Abuse as Defined by the Illinois Domestic Violence Act
If you or a loved one have been the victim of abuse at the hands of a romantic partner or family member, you should know that there are legal actions you can take to protect yourself. An order of protection may prohibit the perpetrator from coming to your home or workplace, calling or otherwise communicating with you, possessing firearms, and more.
To qualify for an Order of Protection, you will need to show that the person you are seeking protection from has physically harmed you or others in your household or caused you to fear that you will suffer harm. Many people assume that abuse is synonymous with physical violence; however, this is not the only type of behavior that is considered abusive under Illinois law. Per the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, abuse includes:
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