Domestic Violence in Divorce Court Surges During Coronavirus Pandemic

As the “shelter-in-place” measures remain in full effect for longer periods of time it is no surprise that domestic violence reports, hotline inquiries and interventions are surging. Abusive environments seemingly increase when there are added stressors, uncertainty, lack of privacy and space. While there has clearly been an increase in police reports and hotline inquiries, there is a growing concern about under-reporting during this time, as it can be difficult to reach out for help when you are isolated and quarantined, at home with your abuser.

If you are a victim or survivor of domestic violence you may be asking yourself, “What are my options with court closures?” or “What are my options when we are living together under one roof for an indefinite amount of time?”

The Chicago Divorce lawyers of WARD FAMILY LAW handle Orders of Protection in child support court and divorce court when there is an action pending against the other party, such as a pending paternity case, child support enforcement case, parenting time/visitation or divorce case. If your case does not meet the criteria of an Order of Protection then there are other legal options available to you, including exclusive possession of the home. On March 23, 2020 WARD FAMILY LAW won emergency court intervention on the COVID-19 quarantine of parties in a pending divorce proceeding, granting our client exclusive possession of the marital residence and temporary possession of the minor child. If you are a victim or survivor of domestic violence and are seeking to file or proceed with any action in the family law courts then reach out to the Chicago divorce lawyers of WARD FAMILY LAW, LLC at (312) 803-5838 or jward@wardfamilylawchicago.com for a free initial consultation to discuss your options.

If you already have a pending Order of Protection Case in the Circuit Court of Cook County Domestic Violence Division then Administrative Orders are addressing the extensions and continuances until courts are tentatively scheduled to resume on May 18, 2020.

Cook County Domestic Violence Resources

http://www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org/NewWebsite/Services/Domestic-Violence-Resources.aspx

Domestic Violence Victim Services

Domestic Violence Courthouse for Chicago
555 West Harrison Street
Chicago, IL 60607-4313
(312) 325-9500

Domestic Violence Legal Clinic
(312) 325-9155
Languages: English, Spanish

LAF
(312) 341-1070
ii. Languages: English, Spanish. Free interpreters for all other languages

Family Rescue
24-Hour Crisis Hotline: (312) 325-9300, (800) 360-6619 (Hablamos Espanol)
TDD (773) 375-8774

Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network
24-Hour Emergency Domestic Violence Hotline: (877) 863-6338
TDD (877) 863-6339
Language: English, Spanish (+153 languages)
Office: (312) 527-0730

Metropolitan Family Services
(312) 986-4000
Languages: English, Spanish, Arabic
Locations: Multiple throughout Chicago

Life Span
(312) 408-1210
Languages: English

Greenhouse Shelter – Connections for Abused Women and their Children (CAWC)
24-Hour Hotline: (773) 278-4566, (773) 489-9081
Language: English, Spanish, French, Russian, Polish, Ukranian

CPD, Domestic Violence Advocacy Project
(312) 742-5290
Languages: English

Mujeres Latinas En Accion
(312) 738-5358
TDD (312) 226-3350
Languages : English, Spanish, Portuguese

Neopolitan Lighthouse
24-Hour Crisis Line: (773) 722-0005
Languages: English

Apna Ghar
24-Hour Emergency Hotline: (800) 717-0757
Languages: Hindi, Urdu, Swalhili, French, Spanish, Persian, Bangla, English

Between Friends
24-Hour Hotline (800) 603-4357
TDD (773) 274-6508
Languages: English

Center on Halsted
LGBTQ Violence Resource Line: (773) 871-2273 (Mon – Fri business hours)
Languages: English, Spanish

House of the Good Shepherd
(773) 935-3434
Languages: English, Spanish

Korean American Women In Need (KAN-WIN)
24-Hour Crisis Hotline: (773) 583-0880
Languages: English, Korean

Shalva
24-Hour Crisis Line: (773) 583-4673
Languages: English, Hebrew, Russian

Clara’s House
(773) 778-2811
Languages: English

Wellspring Center for Hope
24-Hour Crisis Line: (773) 723-2119
Languages: English, Spanish

Heartland Alliance – Violence Recovery Services
(773) 847-4417
Languages: English, Spanish

Crisis Center for South Suburbia
24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline: (708) 429-7233
TDD (708) 429-7284
Languages: English

South Suburban Family Shelter
24-Hour Hotline: (877) 335-3028
Languages: English, Spanish

Pillars – Constance Morris House
24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline: (708) 485-5254
Languages: English, Spanish

Sarah’s Inn
24-Hour Crisis Line: (708) 386-4225
Languages: English, Spanish

YWCA Evanston/Northshore
24-Hour Crisis Hotline: (877) 718-1868
Languages: English, Spanish