What is Domestic Violence?

What is Domestic Violence?

Any person who commits an act of abuse against another family member or household member has broken Illinois domestic violence law.

How are family or household members defined?  Under Illinois law, family or household members are defined as:

• family members related by blood or marriage;
• people who are married or used to be married;
• people who share or used to share a home, apartment, or other dwelling;
• people who have or say they have a child in common;
• people who have or say they have a blood relationship through a child;
• people who are dating or used to date, including same sex couples; and
• people with disabilities and their personal assistants.

What is an act of abuse?  An act of abuse in Illinois includes:

• physical abuse (such as pushing, hitting, forced sex);
• harassment (such as creating a disturbance at your job, repeatedly telephoning, following or watching you, preventing you from seeing your child, threatening to hurt you);
• interference with personal liberty (such as not allowing you to leave);
• making a child or other person watch abuse; and
• denying a disabled person access to needed care.

Domestic violence is a serious issue and assistance may be obtained from law enforcement, domestic violence programs, court personnel and family law attorneys. The divorce and family law attorneys at The Law Offices of Robert F. Kramer, Ltd., are experienced in helping clients who have been victims of domestic violence obtain the legal remedies they need to protect themselves and their family members.