Domestic violence is a crime that Illinois courts take very seriously. Even if you did not actually commit the act of domestic violence, these charges can be detrimental to your life and your reputation. If you have an order of protection against you, it could make your life extremely difficult. There are many things that an Illinois order of protection can order you to do or prohibit you from doing. It is important to understand what orders of protection mean for you if you are facing Illinois domestic violence charges.

What is Domestic Violence?

According to the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986, domestic violence is when any family or household member commits any act of abuse toward another family or household member. Family or household members include:

• Spouses or former spouses;
• Parents, children and stepchildren;
• Former or current housemates;
• Former or current dating or engaged couples;
• People with a child in common; and
• People with disabilities and their caregivers.

Acts of abuse include:

• Physical abuse, such as hitting, pushing, shoving, biting or others;
• Harassment, such as following you, creating disturbances at your school or work, or preventing you from seeing your child;
• Forcing you to do something you do not want to do; or
• Forcing you to have sex.

Effects of Orders of Protection

If an order of protection is entered against you, there are certain things that the order can require you to do and prohibit you from doing. These things can include:

The average lifespan lengthened tremendously over the last few decades with the assistance of medical advancements. However, with age also comes the general “wearing down” of the body, resulting in illness and disabilities. Only one in four adults over the age of 60 currently live on their own successfully, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

These statistics leave our nation’s aging population in the care of someone else. Many families have no choice but to accept their aging parents into their homes, regardless of relationship or financial status. Unfortunately, parents are reluctant to relinquish their title as “head of the household” to their adult children. Children, in return, struggle to cope with the change in family dynamics, often resulting in rising tensions and occasionally a domestic violence charge.

Defining Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is often associated with violence between two spouses, but it is not always the case. The charge covers a wide variety of close relationships including children and stepchildren, former and current spouses, partners, roommates, those within a dating relationship, caregivers, and blood-related family members. Additionally, the parent-child relationship need not be physically abusive to qualify for such accusations.