Please read the disclaimer before reading the questions and answers. If you have a question that you would like to have addressed please e-mail your request, include your phone number if additional clarification is needed. The following information does not constitute legal advice of any kind, but is intended to help the public with understanding some of the basic issues they may face. It is against Illinois' laws for a household or family member to beat, harass or intimidate you.
Most abusers become more violent over time, and beatings tend to become more frequent and severe.
If you are experiencing abusive behavior, an order of protection is an important legal tool that can help provide safety for you and your children. You also can ask for an order of protection for an elderly person or someone who is unable because of a disability to ask for one for themselves. An order of protection is a written court order, signed by a judge, which requires an abusive household or family member to do or not to do certain things. The law also protects people with disabilities from being abused by any individual who has assumed responsibility for their care . A. Children who grow up in violent homes come to believe that violence is normal.