Illinois Domestic Violence 24 Hour Helpline For Survivors in Illinois 877-863-6338

National Domestic Violence Hotline/Linea Nacional Sobre La Violencia Domestica: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
TTY For The Deaf/TTY para los Sordos: 1-800-787-3224

Safety Alert for Battered Women: Computer use can be monitored and it is impossible to completely clear information viewed on the Internet from your computer. If you are in danger, please use a safer computer, call your local hotline, and/or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline. If you are at a safer computer, please click here for more information on using computers more safely.

Frequently Asked Questions

This section includes Frequently Asked Questions and Information on topics such as Orders of Protection in Illinois Civil and Criminal Court; Divorce; Custody of Children (In Divorce or Paternity); Criminal Court and Prosecution of Domestic Violence Crimes; Under Served Populations; Mandated Reporting; Domestic Violence in the Workplace; Domestic Violence in the Military; and more. Choose a topic in one of the following areas to view Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:

Order of Protection in Illinois Civil Court

  • Order of Protection in Illinois Civil Court

  • Law Enforcement of Violations of Orders of Protection

  • Illinois and Federal Firearms Laws

  • Enforcing Orders of Protection Between States (Full Faith and Credit)

  • View Sample Petition and Order forms for an Order of Protection.
    (If you like to view these forms and do not have Adobe® Acrobat® Reader, download your free copy now.)

  • Divorce

  • Divorce in Illinois
  • Custody of Children (In Divorce or Paternity)

  • Child Custody in Divorce or Paternity (Unmarried Parents)

  • Voluntary Paternity Establishment Between Unmarried Parents

  • Joint Child Custody and Domestic Violence

  • Mediation and Domestic Violence

  • Interstate Civil Custody Laws and Domestic Violence

  • Child Abduction and Removal of Children from Illinois
  • Criminal Court and Prosecution of Domestic Violence Crimes

  • Order of Protection in Illinois Criminal Court

  • Selected Illinois Criminal Laws Affecting Domestic Violence

  • Prosecution - Evidence-Based Prosecution Resources (Prosecution of a Domestic Violence Crime)

  • Batterer Intervention

  • Law Enforcement Policies/Protocols

  • Crime Victims Compensation Act

  • Illinois and Federal Firearms Laws

  • Enforcing Orders of Protection Between States (Full Faith and Credit)

  • Law Enforcement of Violations of Orders of Protection

  • View Sample Petition and Order forms for an Order of Protection.

    If you would like to view the forms but do not have Adobe Acrobat® Reader, click on the Get Acrobat® Reader button for instructions on how to download a free copy.
  • Under Served Populations

  • Native American Women and Domestic Violence

  • Immigrant Women and Domestic Violence

  • Deaf and Hard of Hearing Victims

  • Same-Sex Battering / Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered
  • Do You Need Legal Help?

  • How Can I Find a Good Attorney for my Case?

  • List of Illinois Legal Service Offices for Low Income Individuals

  • Free (Pro Bono) Illinois Lawyer Referral List

  • Illinois Lawyer Referral Programs

  • Are Clerks of the Court Required to Provide Forms and Clerical Assistance?

  • Are there any Filing or Service Charges to get an Order of Protection?

  • What Attorneys Should Know to Work More Successfully with Domestic Violence Victims

  • Victims of Domestic Violence Working Successfully with Attorneys
  • Other Issues

  • Mandated Reporting

  • Domestic Violence in the Workplace

  • Domestic Violence in the Military