A court order that requires the person who caused harm, called the respondent or the offender, to stay away from the person they sexually assaulted or sexually abused, committed domestic violence against or stalked. NWCASA Legal Advocates can provide assistance with protective orders. We work with Circuit Court of Cook County: Skokie and Rolling Meadows.
Civil No Contact Order (CNCO): a civil “stay away” order for rape victims who do not have a relationship with the offender. Under a CNCO, the court orders the offender not to have any contact with the victim.
Order of Protection (OP): An Order of Protection is a court order that requires a person who has committed domestic abuse to stay away from those they have abused. OP’s can also be for rape victims who do have a relationship with the offender.
Stalking No Contact Order (SNCO): The Stalking No Contact Order is a civil “stay away” order for victims of stalking who do not have a relationship with the offender. Under an SNCO, the court orders the offender not to have any contact with the victim.
Sexual violence impacts victims in a variety of ways. Each victim’s experience will be different. Seeking medical care is important, regardless of whether the victim chooses to report to the police.
SASETA is an Illinois law that governs the healthcare that hospitals are required to provide to sexual assault survivors, establishes a statewide forensic evidence collection system, and creates a reimbursement program for the cost of care and evidence collection for victims who are not covered by private insurance or Medicaid.
Emergency Contraception is a medication which can be given to prevent pregnancy. To be effective, emergency contraception must be given within 72 hours of the assault. Hospitals are required to provide information on emergency contraception. Rape crisis center advocates can also provide information on emergency contraception.
Sexually transmitted infections may be acquired during an assault. Hospitals are required to provide information on STI’s, as well as testing, prophylactics, and follow up care.
VESSA protects the workplace rights of employees who are victims of domestic or sexual violence as well as the rights of employees who have family or household members who are victims of domestic or sexual violence. VESSA is intended to help employees keep their jobs and stay safe. VESSA specifically provides:
The IHRA defines Sexual harassment. The IHRA also requires employers to conduct annual sexual harassment prevention training for all employers. Claims for workplace sexual harassment may be filed with the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR).
Women Employed is a not-for-profit organization that works to expand the educational and employment rights of women. Their website offers information and resources regarding women’s rights in the workplace and information about sexual harassment.
The criminal statute of limitations refers to the time limit the prosecutor/state’s attorney has to file criminal charges against the perpetrator in a sexual assault/abuse case. Local rape crisis center advocates can answer questions from sexual assault victims regarding the statute of limitations.
The Safe Homes Act provides numerous housing protections for Illinois victims of sexual violence and domestic violence who live in rental property. For instance, a victim can ask to have the locks changed at her apartment or terminate her lease early following a sexual assault.
The charts listed below contain information on criminal charges that can be brought against perpetrators of sexual violence
All information gathered from RAINN. To see laws in your state, please click here.
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