ICDVP Exam 2026/2027 | Illinois Certified Domestic Violence
Professional Study Guide & Practice Test | ICDVP Exam
Preparation, Practice Questions & Detailed Rationales |
Illinois Domestic Violence Act, Safety Planning, Advocacy,
Crisis Intervention & Legal Issues
Question 1: According to the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986, which of the
following definitions correctly describes "willful deprivation" as a form of
abuse?
A. Knowingly or recklessly creating an immediate risk of physical harm to a family
member
B. Willfully denying a dependent person medication, medical care, shelter, food,
or other physical assistance, thereby exposing them to risk of harm
C. Repeatedly following a petitioner in a public place or keeping them under
surveillance
D. Subjecting a dependent person to participation in or witnessing of physical
force against another
E. Committing or threatening physical abuse to compel another to engage in
conduct from which they have a right to abstain
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Willfully denying a dependent person medication,
medical care, shelter, food, or other physical assistance, thereby exposing them
to risk of harm
Rationale: The Illinois Domestic Violence Act defines willful deprivation as willfully
denying a person who, because of age, health, or disability, requires medication,
medical care, shelter, accessible shelter or services, food, therapeutic device, or
other physical assistance, thereby exposing that person to the risk of physical,
mental, or emotional harm . Option A describes physical abuse, Option C
describes harassment, Option D describes intimidation of a dependent, and
Option E describes interference with personal liberty.
Question 2: Which of the following best defines "interference with personal
liberty" under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act?
A. Physically restraining a family member against their will
B. Committing or threatening physical abuse, harassment, intimidation, or willful
deprivation so as to compel another to engage in conduct from which they have a
right to abstain or to refrain from conduct in which they have a right to engage
,C. Repeatedly calling a petitioner's place of employment after being told to stop
D. Denying a high-risk adult with disabilities access to necessary medical care
E. Subjecting a dependent person to witnessing physical force against another
person
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Committing or threatening physical abuse, harassment,
intimidation, or willful deprivation so as to compel another to engage in
conduct from which they have a right to abstain or to refrain from conduct in
which they have a right to engage
Rationale: The Illinois Domestic Violence Act defines interference with personal
liberty as committing or threatening physical abuse, harassment, intimidation, or
willful deprivation so as to compel another to engage in conduct from which they
have a right to abstain or to refrain from conduct in which they have a right to
engage . This definition captures the coercive control element central to domestic
violence.
Question 3: According to the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, "intimidation of a
dependent" includes which of the following?
A. Threatening to improperly remove a minor child from the jurisdiction
B. Subjecting a person who is dependent because of age, health, or disability to
participation in or the witnessing of physical force against another or physical
confinement or restraint of another
C. Creating a disturbance at a petitioner's place of employment
D. Willfully denying a dependent person medication or medical care
E. Compelling another to engage in conduct from which they have a right to
abstain
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Subjecting a person who is dependent because of age,
health, or disability to participation in or the witnessing of physical force against
another or physical confinement or restraint of another
Rationale: The Illinois Domestic Violence Act specifically defines intimidation of a
dependent as subjecting a person who is dependent because of age, health, or
disability to participation in or the witnessing of physical force against another or
physical confinement or restraint of another which constitutes physical abuse,
regardless of whether the abused person is a family or household member .
,Question 4: Under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, which of the following is
included in the definition of "harassment"?
A. Willfully denying a dependent person food or shelter
B. Knowing or reckless use of physical force, confinement, or restraint
C. Repeatedly telephoning petitioner's place of employment, home, or residence
after being asked to stop
D. Subjecting a dependent person to witnessing physical abuse of another
E. Threatening to conceal a minor child from the petitioner on a single occasion
without prior removal
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Repeatedly telephoning petitioner's place of
employment, home, or residence after being asked to stop
Rationale: The Illinois Domestic Violence Act defines harassment to include
repeatedly telephoning petitioner's place of employment, home, or residence;
repeatedly following petitioner about in a public place or places; repeatedly
keeping petitioner under surveillance; and creating a disturbance at petitioner's
place of employment or school .
Question 5: The Illinois Domestic Violence Act was originally enacted in which
year?
A. 1976
B. 1980
C. 1986
D. 1994
E. 2000
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 1986
Rationale: The Illinois Domestic Violence Act was enacted in 1986 and has since
been amended multiple times to expand protections for victims of domestic
violence .
Question 6: Which of the following relationships qualifies as "family or
household members" under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act?
A. Casual acquaintances who have never lived together
B. Two individuals who have only met through business transactions
, C. Persons who have or allegedly have a child in common
D. Neighbors who share a property line
E. Co-workers who have never had a personal relationship
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Persons who have or allegedly have a child in common
Rationale: The Illinois Domestic Violence Act defines family or household
members to include spouses, former spouses, parents, children, stepchildren,
other persons related by blood or present or prior marriage, persons who share
or formerly shared a common dwelling, persons who have or allegedly have a
child in common, persons who share or allegedly share a blood relationship
through a child, persons who have or have had a dating or engagement
relationship, persons with disabilities and their personal assistants, and caregivers
.
Question 7: In the context of the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, what is the
standard burden of proof required to obtain an order of protection?
A. Beyond a reasonable doubt
B. Clear and convincing evidence
C. Preponderance of the evidence
D. Probable cause
E. Substantial evidence
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Preponderance of the evidence
Rationale: The burden of proof for obtaining an order of protection under the
Illinois Domestic Violence Act is the civil standard of preponderance of the
evidence, meaning that the allegations are more likely true than not true .
Question 8: Which of the following statements accurately describes the "cycle
of violence" theory?
A. Violence occurs randomly without any discernible pattern
B. The cycle consists of tension building, acute battering incident, and honeymoon
phases
C. Victims are responsible for provoking violent episodes
D. Violence only occurs when substance abuse is present
E. The cycle applies only to physical abuse and not to emotional abuse
Professional Study Guide & Practice Test | ICDVP Exam
Preparation, Practice Questions & Detailed Rationales |
Illinois Domestic Violence Act, Safety Planning, Advocacy,
Crisis Intervention & Legal Issues
Question 1: According to the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986, which of the
following definitions correctly describes "willful deprivation" as a form of
abuse?
A. Knowingly or recklessly creating an immediate risk of physical harm to a family
member
B. Willfully denying a dependent person medication, medical care, shelter, food,
or other physical assistance, thereby exposing them to risk of harm
C. Repeatedly following a petitioner in a public place or keeping them under
surveillance
D. Subjecting a dependent person to participation in or witnessing of physical
force against another
E. Committing or threatening physical abuse to compel another to engage in
conduct from which they have a right to abstain
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Willfully denying a dependent person medication,
medical care, shelter, food, or other physical assistance, thereby exposing them
to risk of harm
Rationale: The Illinois Domestic Violence Act defines willful deprivation as willfully
denying a person who, because of age, health, or disability, requires medication,
medical care, shelter, accessible shelter or services, food, therapeutic device, or
other physical assistance, thereby exposing that person to the risk of physical,
mental, or emotional harm . Option A describes physical abuse, Option C
describes harassment, Option D describes intimidation of a dependent, and
Option E describes interference with personal liberty.
Question 2: Which of the following best defines "interference with personal
liberty" under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act?
A. Physically restraining a family member against their will
B. Committing or threatening physical abuse, harassment, intimidation, or willful
deprivation so as to compel another to engage in conduct from which they have a
right to abstain or to refrain from conduct in which they have a right to engage
,C. Repeatedly calling a petitioner's place of employment after being told to stop
D. Denying a high-risk adult with disabilities access to necessary medical care
E. Subjecting a dependent person to witnessing physical force against another
person
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Committing or threatening physical abuse, harassment,
intimidation, or willful deprivation so as to compel another to engage in
conduct from which they have a right to abstain or to refrain from conduct in
which they have a right to engage
Rationale: The Illinois Domestic Violence Act defines interference with personal
liberty as committing or threatening physical abuse, harassment, intimidation, or
willful deprivation so as to compel another to engage in conduct from which they
have a right to abstain or to refrain from conduct in which they have a right to
engage . This definition captures the coercive control element central to domestic
violence.
Question 3: According to the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, "intimidation of a
dependent" includes which of the following?
A. Threatening to improperly remove a minor child from the jurisdiction
B. Subjecting a person who is dependent because of age, health, or disability to
participation in or the witnessing of physical force against another or physical
confinement or restraint of another
C. Creating a disturbance at a petitioner's place of employment
D. Willfully denying a dependent person medication or medical care
E. Compelling another to engage in conduct from which they have a right to
abstain
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Subjecting a person who is dependent because of age,
health, or disability to participation in or the witnessing of physical force against
another or physical confinement or restraint of another
Rationale: The Illinois Domestic Violence Act specifically defines intimidation of a
dependent as subjecting a person who is dependent because of age, health, or
disability to participation in or the witnessing of physical force against another or
physical confinement or restraint of another which constitutes physical abuse,
regardless of whether the abused person is a family or household member .
,Question 4: Under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, which of the following is
included in the definition of "harassment"?
A. Willfully denying a dependent person food or shelter
B. Knowing or reckless use of physical force, confinement, or restraint
C. Repeatedly telephoning petitioner's place of employment, home, or residence
after being asked to stop
D. Subjecting a dependent person to witnessing physical abuse of another
E. Threatening to conceal a minor child from the petitioner on a single occasion
without prior removal
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Repeatedly telephoning petitioner's place of
employment, home, or residence after being asked to stop
Rationale: The Illinois Domestic Violence Act defines harassment to include
repeatedly telephoning petitioner's place of employment, home, or residence;
repeatedly following petitioner about in a public place or places; repeatedly
keeping petitioner under surveillance; and creating a disturbance at petitioner's
place of employment or school .
Question 5: The Illinois Domestic Violence Act was originally enacted in which
year?
A. 1976
B. 1980
C. 1986
D. 1994
E. 2000
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 1986
Rationale: The Illinois Domestic Violence Act was enacted in 1986 and has since
been amended multiple times to expand protections for victims of domestic
violence .
Question 6: Which of the following relationships qualifies as "family or
household members" under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act?
A. Casual acquaintances who have never lived together
B. Two individuals who have only met through business transactions
, C. Persons who have or allegedly have a child in common
D. Neighbors who share a property line
E. Co-workers who have never had a personal relationship
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Persons who have or allegedly have a child in common
Rationale: The Illinois Domestic Violence Act defines family or household
members to include spouses, former spouses, parents, children, stepchildren,
other persons related by blood or present or prior marriage, persons who share
or formerly shared a common dwelling, persons who have or allegedly have a
child in common, persons who share or allegedly share a blood relationship
through a child, persons who have or have had a dating or engagement
relationship, persons with disabilities and their personal assistants, and caregivers
.
Question 7: In the context of the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, what is the
standard burden of proof required to obtain an order of protection?
A. Beyond a reasonable doubt
B. Clear and convincing evidence
C. Preponderance of the evidence
D. Probable cause
E. Substantial evidence
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Preponderance of the evidence
Rationale: The burden of proof for obtaining an order of protection under the
Illinois Domestic Violence Act is the civil standard of preponderance of the
evidence, meaning that the allegations are more likely true than not true .
Question 8: Which of the following statements accurately describes the "cycle
of violence" theory?
A. Violence occurs randomly without any discernible pattern
B. The cycle consists of tension building, acute battering incident, and honeymoon
phases
C. Victims are responsible for provoking violent episodes
D. Violence only occurs when substance abuse is present
E. The cycle applies only to physical abuse and not to emotional abuse
