Domestic Violence - Cook County State`s Attorney`s Office

Domestic Violence Resource Center
Domestic Violence Resources
Domestic Violence Resource Center
First Municipal Courthouse
555 W. Harrison St., Room 1600
(312) 325-9205
Criminal Courts Building
2650 S. California Avenue, Chicago
(773) 674-7200
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am—4:30pm
Appointments and walk-ins welcome
Domestic Violence Court
First Municipal District
555 W. Harrison, Chicago
(312) 325-9220
The Domestic Violence Resource Center provides
information and assistance in locating support
services for victims of domestic violence that:
Skokie Courthouse
Second Municipal District
5600 Old Orchard Road
(847) 470-7300
Identify services that best meet their
needs
Can help to make informed decisions
Provide information on education and/or
employment opportunities
In an emergency, always call police.
www.statesattorney.org
Bridgeview Courthouse
Fifth Municipal District
10220 S. 76th Avenue
(708) 974-6250
Markham Courthouse
Sixth Municipal District
16501 S. Kedzie Avenue
(708) 232-4040
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Rape Crisis Hotline
(888) 293-2080
Maywood Courthouse
Fourth Municipal District
1500 Maybrook Drive
(708) 865-6080
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Domestic Violence Helpline
(877) 863-6338
Rolling Meadows Courthouse
Third Municipal District
2121 Euclid Avenue
(847) 818-2326
COO
There is no shame in
asking for help.
Child Support
Child Care
Counseling
Employment
GED and other education programs
Health and Wellness
Housing
Job Skills and Training
Legal Aid Organization
Substance Abuse
A Guide to Information
and Resources
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Other issues the Resource Center can provide
assistance with include:
Domestic
Violence
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Victim Witness Assistance Program
(312) 325-9271
First Municipal Courthouse
555 W. Harrison St., Room 1600, Chicago
(312) 325-9206
CO
NO
Domestic Violence Division
(312) 325-9200
~ Main Numbers and Locations ~
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Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office
Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office
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State’s Attorney’s Office
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U N T Y, I L
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Juvenile Justice Bureau
1100 S. Hamilton Avenue, Chicago
(312) 433-7000
The Resource Center provides information and
services free of charge.
Free child care while using the Resource Center is
available in the Circuit Court’s Children’s Room.
Anita
Anita
Alvarez
Alvarez
Cook County State’s Attorney
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - Frequently Asked Questions
A Message from the
State’s Attorney
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic Violence occurs when one person in a
relationship uses physical or psychological abuse,
threats, harassment or intimidation to control
another person.
What Can I Do If I Am A Victim of
Domestic Violence?
You need to take steps to protect yourself and your
children. Contact the police to make a report and file
criminal charges — be sure to get a copy of the
report.
Domestic Violence is a very real problem here in Cook
County — affecting countless victims and their families
across all of our communities.
It is currently estimated that 1 in every 4 women will
experience domestic violence in her lifetime. The abuse
can come in many forms, including physical, sexual,
verbal, emotional or economical. The abuser can be a
spouse, domestic partner, boyfriend or girlfriend or even a
parent.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office is committed to
doing everything within our power to prosecute domestic
violence cases to the fullest extent of the law. We are also
committed to helping domestic violence victims take the
steps to end the violence so they can begin to rebuild their
lives and regain their independence.
It is often a difficult process to seek help and take that first
step to move beyond an abusive relationship. This
brochure provides information about the law and the court
system and resources that are available for victims and
their families.
Anita Alvarez
Cook County State’s Attorney
www.statesattorney.org
Request an Order of Protection, which can put
restrictions on the contact between you and your
abuser. Make copies and give them to your
employer, school officials and local police.
What types of restrictions can an
Order of Protection impose?
Conduct that may be prohibited can include:
Threatening the victim
Contacting the victim
What Types of Relationships Qualify For
An Order of Protection?
If the relationship with your abuser, same or opposite
sex, is one of the following, you may qualify for an
Order of Protection:
Current or Former:
spouse
domestic partner
blood or marriage relative
boyfriend / girlfriend
biological parent of your child
roommate
caretaker (disabled victim)
How Do I Get An Order of Protection?
Go to your local courthouse to file for an Order of
Protection. Orders of Protection can be obtained in
criminal or civil court. The Cook County State’s
Attorney’s Office has staff who are specially trained in
domestic violence in every court building to assist
you. See the back of this brochure for phone
numbers.
Staying away from the victim, their home,
workplace and school
Prohibiting them from possessing firearms or a
FOID card.
If Convicted, What Penalties Will
My Abuser Face?
Criminal penalties vary, depending on the
charges and circumstances. Sentences
may include probation, court supervision,
community service, counseling, jail or
prison.
Where Can I Get More Information
and Assistance?
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office
can assist you in several ways:
The Domestic Violence Division can
answer questions about the legal process.
The Domestic Violence Resource Center
can connect you with agencies to assist you
in areas such as child care and support,
counseling, education, employment and
housing.
The Victim Witness Assistance Unit will
provide someone to explain each step and
lend support to you throughout the legal
process.
What Can I Do if the Order Is Violated?
Call the police immediately. Your abuser may be
arrested and charged with violating the Order of
Protection. Have a copy of the order available to
show police, even if it is on file with the department.
This project was supported by Grant #2009-WF-AX-0008, awarded by
the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice,
through the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. Points of view
or opinions contained within this document are those of the author and
do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S.
Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, or the Illinois
Criminal Justice Information Authority.
You can’t control another person’s
actions, but you can control how you
respond to those actions.
Cook County State’s Attorney
Domestic Violence Division
(312) 325-9200
Anita Alvarez
Cook County State’s Attorney