Family violence can be mentally, emotionally, and physically destructive. It can affect anyone of any age, gender, race, or sexual orientation. It may include behaviors meant to scare, physically harm, or control a partner. While every relationship is different, domestic violence generally involves an unequal power dynamic in which one partner tries to assert control over the other in a variety of ways. Examples include insults and threats, emotional abuse, and sexual coercion. Victims experience diminished self-worth, anxiety, depression, and a general sense of helplessness that can take time and often professional help to overcome.

Domestic violence is a crime and punishable by law.

Emergency Information

• If you have been the victim of violence and need immediate assistance, call 9-1-1 or your local police department.
• If you need more information, support, or emergency shelter, call 1-888-259-6364
• If you need immediate medical attention, contact your family physician or the emergency hospital nearest you.
• If the police have been summoned to your home and you wish to report the incident but do not wish to press charges, call the hotline about seeking legal information 1-888-259-6364

To Press Charges

• Request that the officer at the scene file a police report.
• Have photos of the injuries taken while they are most visible.
• Please seek medical attention if necessary and obtain all medical reports.
• Contact the State’s Attorney about filing charges.

Safe Families Program Hotline 1-888-259-6364

Safe Families FAQ:

What is Safe Families?

Safe Families of Macoupin County provides residents with a free and confidential services in a variety of ways including but not limited to: counseling referrals, transportation, employment, education, basic needs and life skills support. We support survivors of Domestic Violence by accompanying survivors to court, assisting with Orders of Protection and creating safety plans.

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic Violence is destructive and can be both physical or psychological. It can affect anyone of any age, gender, race or sexual orientation. It may include behaviors meant to scare, physically harm, or control a partner. While every relationship is different – domestic violence generally involves an unequal power dynamic in which one partner tries to assert control over the other in a variety of ways.

How do I become a client of MCPHD’s Safe Families Program?

If you’d like to become a client, that will open the doors to utilize all our services for free. It’s a longer process and involves more than orders of protection. We would meet face to face to discuss your situation and other methods of safety. Then, we would have you sign our release of information, confidentiality forms and any referrals that are needed. Finally – we would review your rights as a client and the service plan we generate. If an emergency order of protection is needed immediately, now would be that time to assist in completing those forms.

What happens during an Emergency Order of Protection?

Safe Families can assist in preparing your emergency order of protection. Once those forms are e-Filed, you will attend an emergency hearing at the courthouse. Please check with the advocate and/or Circuit Clerks: Probate Division for the correct times. The judge will see you for a hearing and discuss the reasoning for an order of protection. You can include evidence for source material and/or have that conversation with the judge. The judge will rule on the order and tell you if it’s granted or not.

My emergency order wasn’t granted, what should I do?

If it’s an emergency order, please check with the courthouse if you are to attend a Plenary Hearing instead. That simply means that the judge needs more time to make the decision but rules that it’s not an immediate threat of safety. You will need to attend an Plenary Hearing for an Order of Protection (this is the non-emergency basis).

If There’s No Plenary Hearing….

Please keep all court documents in a safe spot. There are a couple options that you can do if the order is not granted. We can look into those options on a case-by-case basis. Please see one of our advocates for more information.

 

We are here to help. Safe Families Program Hotline 1-888-259-6364