(740 ILCS 22/204)
Sec. 204.
Application of rules of civil procedure; rape crisis
advocates.
(a) Any proceeding to obtain, modify, reopen or appeal a civil no
contact order shall be governed by the rules of civil procedure
of this State. The standard of proof in such a proceeding is proof by a
preponderance of the evidence. The Code of Civil Procedure and Supreme
Court
and local court rules applicable to civil proceedings shall apply, except as
otherwise provided by this Act.
(b) In circuit courts, rape crisis
advocates shall be allowed to accompany the victim and confer with the
victim, unless otherwise directed by the court. Court administrators shall
allow rape crisis advocates to
assist victims of non-consensual sexual conduct or non-consensual sexual
penetration in the preparation of petitions for
civil no contact orders. Rape crisis advocates are not engaged in the
unauthorized
practice of law when providing assistance of the types specified in this
subsection (b). Communications between the petitioner and a rape crisis
advocate are protected by the confidentiality of statements made to rape crisis
personnel as provided for in Section 8-802.1 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(Source: P.A. 93-236, eff. 1-1-04.)
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