This brief addresses issues concerning battered women and the Act's attempt to alleviate difficulties they encounter in obtaining relief from abuse. The Illinois Domestic Violence Act, effective March 1982, provides new tools for protecting a battered wife. The Act has four general purposes: (1) recognition of domestic violence as a serious crime, (2) consideration of the economic problems of the victims, (3) police involvement to encourage cooperation and support, and (4) expansion of civil and criminal remedies. The Act provides for an order of protection, similar to an injunction, that directs the abuser to refrain from specified behavior and to meet certain obligations. Violation of an order is a criminal offense. To achieve full compliance with the Act, those charged with enforcing it must change their attitudes and stop thinking of domestic violence as acceptable. The Act can only become a powerful tool if police are not allowed to wink at domestic violence. Eventually private attitudes will conform to the policy embodied in the law. The brief includes 120 notes. (Author modified summary)