The Client, a recent arrival to the U.S. and native Spanish speaker, was married with two children. During the course of her marriage, she experienced physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. After filing a police report and seeking safety, she was granted an emergency order of protection that gave her temporary possession of the family home. She was then referred to NSLAC for legal support.
The Client’s husband repeatedly violated the order of protection, including driving with an open container of alcohol while the children were in the car during his parenting time and unlawfully possessing a firearm. Unfamiliar with her legal rights and how to report these violations, the Client faced serious challenges navigating the system on her own.
NSLAC’s Domestic Violence Law Practice attorneys advised her on how to report and enforce the order of protection. Our Domestic Violence social worker also assisted with safety planning, including specific strategies to address virtual tracking when it became clear the Client was being monitored and followed. In collaboration with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), NSLAC helped secure additional safeguards for the children in light of the driving under the influence incident.
Following an unrelated DUI arrest of the Client’s husband, the case proceeded to a plenary hearing. As a result, the Client was granted a two-year plenary order of protection for herself and her children. NSLAC’s social work team continues to support the family with safety resources and referrals to help them rebuild their lives.
