Under 2010 Illinois state law, victims of domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault will have new legal protections available to them.
Victims of stalking will now only have to prove that a stalker committed two acts that would give a reasonable person cause to fear for safety or suffer emotional distress, reports the Chicago Tribune. Previously, victims had to prove they suffered two separate stalking incidents and a threat of bodily harm in order to seek a prosecution. However, stalking acts now include electronic communications used for cyber-stalking. Under the new law, victims will be able to obtain a civil court order against the suspect.
Additionally, the law extends protection for elementary, middle or high school students who were victims of a sexual assault. If the offender is another student, a judge can order the offender to transfer to another school.
The law will also give sexual assault victims the option to get a protective order against the assailant as well as any third party who “aided and abetted,” reports the Chicago Tribune.
For additional information, click here.
