How Can You Help Put an End to Domestic Violence?

 Posted on October 12, 2016 in Family Law

Each year there are 18,500,000 mental health care visits due to intimate partner violence. However, there are also many domestic violence incidents that go unreported. This could be due to a number of reasons, being that the victim becomes afraid of their abuser. As such, it is important to communicate to loved ones if and when an abusive situation occurs.

You Have Options

One way to put an end to domestic violence in Illinois is to seek an order of protection. There are multiple reasons you can use this option:

• Intimidation,
• Stalking,
• Harassment,
• Physical harment,
• Willful deprivation,
• Exploitation, and
• Interference with personal autonomy.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

According to the NCADV (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence), nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States and on a typical day, there are more than 20,000 phone calls placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide. This shows that abuse is an ongoing issue and is not going stop anytime soon, so an order of protection can be used to help prevent the abuse from recurring.

The abuser does not have to be a person’s partner. These acts may occur between parent and their children, divorced couples, dating or cohabitating couples, couples that have a child together, siblings and other family members, caregivers and elderly or disabled patients, and others who have lived in the same household.

Protect and Support

Victims of domestic violence often suffer the aftermath effects of the abuse they have been through over time. Remain educated if you know someone that needs support by getting involved with one of the many Domestic Violence Agencies and Organizations.

There are a variety of options one may choose to request an order of protection. Some examples include:

• Prohibiting the abuser from making any further contact with the victim,
• Barring the abuser from entering a shared residence,
• Awarding temporary custody of minor children to the protected party,
• Ordering the payment of back child support,
• Ordering the abuser to pay damages for losses incurred as a result of the abuse,
• Ordering the abuser to surrender their firearms to local law enforcement, and
• Ordering the abuser to attend counseling.

It is be difficult to file an order of protection against someone you know well. Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices can help you through that tough time. We recognize that being protected is important to you. Our experienced DuPage County family law attorneys will provide the assistance you are seeking. Call 630-932-9100 to schedule your free and confidential consultation today.