Domestic violence is a crime: VOICES DV Court Advocates provide legal information and resources to survivors in a way that helps empower them to navigate the legal system. Although, the VOICES DV Court Advocates are not attorneys, they can assist survivors in the following areas:
- The remedies of the Illinois Domestic Violence Act (IDVA)
- Process to obtain Order of Protection
- Differences between emergency, interim and plenary Orders of Protection
- Differences between civil and criminal court proceedings
- Enforcement of Orders of Protection, including Full Faith and Credit Provision of Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
- Law enforcement’s responsibilities
- Violations of Orders of Protection
- Definitions of domestic battery, aggravated domestic battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, aggravated battery
- Immigration issues – undocumented immigrants can still obtain Orders of Protection and press charges against the abuser
- Financial and other resources available to survivors of domestic violence.
All domestic violence services are offered free of charge in a confidential setting.
