Full Faith and Credit helps to protect Victims by requiring the Criminal Justice System, including Law Enforcement, to enforce Orders of Protection throughout the country.

Full Faith and Credit enables Victims to call upon the Courts and Law Enforcement officers to enforce their Illinois Orders of Protection no matter where they are in the United States and its territories.

Full Faith and Credit requires the Courts and Law Enforcement officers throughout the United States to treat an Illinois Order of Protection as if it were issued in their own jurisdiction. Therefore, if the Abuser violates an Illinois Order of Protection in another State, he may be subject to arrest and prosecution in the State or U.S. territories where the violation occurs.

The laws of the State where the Order of Protection was issued determines the following issues:

• Who is protected
• The terms and conditions of the Order
• How long the Order is in effect

So, if an Illinois Victim leaves Illinois to flee the Abuser, and then goes to State "B," her Illinois Order of Protection is entitled to enforcement in State "B". (This is true even if she would not have been eligible to ask for an Order in State "B", because Illinois determined she was eligible for the Order. State "B," therefore, must enforce the Illinois Order of Protection.)

The laws of the State where the Order of Protection is to be enforced determines these issues:

• How the Order is to be enforced
• The arrest authority of responding Law Enforcement officers
• Detention and notification procedures
• Penalties or sanctions for violations of the Order of Protection

Before leaving Illinois, the Victim should be certain she follows these guidelines:

The International Association of Chiefs of Police, in collaboration with the Violence Against Women Grants Office, Office of Justice Programs, and U.S. Department of Justice, has published a resource booklet entitled "Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence: A Law Enforcement Officer's Guide to Enforcing Orders of Protection Nationwide."

This booklet is a great resource for answering common questions Law Officers have regarding this issue!

This resource booklet is a product of a collaborated effort by the Violence Against Women Office, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, and the Full Faith and Credit Project of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

This is a great booklet for Advocates, Victims and their attorneys to answer frequently asked questions!