October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and has been for the last 24 years. Helping battered women and children find the support they need to end and overcome the abuse that they’ve suffered is the goal of the National Coalition Against Violence (NCADV).
Domestic violence, also referred to as Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), is the willful physical assault, sexual assault, battery, intimidation, and/or other abusive behavior committed by an intimate partner against another. This abusive behavior can last a lifetime and results in psychological trauma, bodily injury, and even death. According to the NCADV, most domestic violence cases are never reported to law enforcement, which is why raising awareness is so important in helping battered individuals find the support they need.
The NCADV encourages everyone to participate in activities that can facilitate the personal and societal changes necessary to end domestic violence for good. A few suggestions include:
- Ribbon Campaign – Distribute purple ribbons to people in your community.
- Church Campaign – Ask religious institutions in your area to address the issue of domestic violence.
- Chili Cook-Off – Invite teams, individual cooks, and even restaurants to compete in a chili contest. Have entertainment, open chili tasting to the public, and prizes for the best chili. All proceeds would benefit the local women’s and/or children’s shelter.
If you or a loved one is being physically and/or emotionally abused by an intimate partner, the most important step is for the victim to be removed from the situation. At Nottage and Ward, our experienced Chicago order of protection attorneys help victims of domestic violence stay safe while they pursue divorce. Domestic violence is inexcusable and undeserving, and we will do everything within our power to ensure that you and/or your children are protected. Contact us today for a confidential consultation at (312) 332-2915.
KLEWTV.com reports that a bill that is pending in the Washington State Legislature seeks to expand the protection offered to victims of harassment and stalking in orders of protection.
The bill, HB 1180, is supported by the family of a woman who was killed by a man who stalked her outside of the school where she taught. According to the article, the woman had an order of protection against the man, but he had violated it at least once. If the bill passes, a person who violates an order of protection would be required to wear a Global Positioning System (GPS) monitor, which would warn law enforcement officials, as well as the victim, that the offender is violating the order.
According to The New York Times, at least twelve other states in the U.S. have passed similar legislation and approximately 5,000 domestic abusers are being tracked across the nation.
In August, 2008, Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich signed legislation that allows the courts to order a domestic violence abuser to wear a GPS tracking device as a condition of bail when he or she has violated a restraining order that is in place against them. Under the law, called the Cindy Bischof Law, after a woman who was killed by a former boyfriend who violated her restraining order against him at least twice, an abuser must also go through a risk assessment evaluation. Additionally, the court is required to order the abuser to be evaluated by a partner abuse intervention program and to follow all resulting recommendations. If an abuser fails to attend and complete the program, it is considered a new offense if the restraining order is violated. The law also added a minimum fine of $200 to every penalty on a violation of an Illinois restraining order conviction. The funds are given to the State’s Domestic Violence Surveillance Fund. The Cindy Bischof Law went into effect in Illinois on January 1, 2009.
If you or your children are being threatened and you believe you may be harmed by your spouse, ex-spouse, or another person, consult with the Illinois family law attorneys at Nottage and Ward. We can help defend your rights and guide you through the order of protection process in Illinois. Call 312-332-2915 to learn more today.
