Legal Advocacy
McHenryCountyTurningPoint.org provides Legal Advocacy to victims of Domestic Violence at the McHenry County Government Center, McHenry County, IL.
Support and Assistance
Specially trained legal advocates
Advise rights under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act
Assist in obtaining Orders of Protection
Provide support in court to victims in abuse related cases
Provide referral and linkage to other social service programs
Provide bi-lingual/bi-cultural services
The Law And Your Rights
The Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986
Recognizes domestic violence as a serious crime.
Requires police make a written report on all domestic violence calls.
Protects family and household members, including spouses, ex-spouses, past or current dating relationships, persons living together, persons who formerly lived together, parents, children, and stepchildren, people who share a child or people related by blood or marriage.
Creates an Order of Protection to help protect a victim from further abuse.
Order of Protection - It can help you
Written court order signed by a judge may:
Forbid any further abuse or threats of abuse including harassment, physical abuse, stalking, neglect or exploitation
Order the abuser to stay away from the victim(s)
Prohibit the abuser from entering and remaining at specified protected locations
Remove the abuser from a shared home
Award temporary legal custody
Temporarily stop child visitation
Grant possession of personal property to the victim
Forbid the abuser from taking, hiding, damaging or selling any of the victim's property
More on Order of Protection
There is No Charge
Victims are encouraged to seek an Order of Protection as soon as possible following the most recent abusive incident.
Interpreter services are provided in Criminal Court
Children can be protected as additional protected person(s) on the victim's same Order of Protection
Victims cannot violate an Order of Protection; only the abuser can
Violation of an Order of Protection can be a criminal offense
Victims must carry their copy of the Order of Protection with them at all times
Victims must attend all required court dates pertaining to their Order of Protection in order to keep them active and in place
Changes can be made to an Order of Protection at any time
Orders of Protection alone cannot always ensure safety
Victims must also take precautions to protect themselves
Victims must call police immediately and file a police report if the abuser violates a victim's Order of Protection
Additional Assistance
McHenryCountyTurningPoint.org advocates assist victims with additional safety planning.
For Your Safety
Erase internet Footprints - prevent abusers finding where you visit online.
Escape Site for a quick exit to google.com
1-800-892-8900 24 Hour McHenry County Crisis Line
1-800-799-SAFE National Crisis Hotline
