All eyes are on Johnny Depp after a domestic violence suit was filed by his now ex-wife Amber Heard. As many of you know, the divorce was filed after a 15-month marriage to Depp. A few days later, the LA Superior Court granted Heard a restraining order after allegations of Depp physically abusing her. Heard and two witnesses are prepared to testify to the abuse once the hearing commences in mid-August.
Heard allegedly possesses photos and text messages that show evidence of the abuse. In the news stories, there is talk that these allegations are about money being the motivation behind Heard’s lawsuit. Heard continues to deny these allegations.
The temporary restraining order will be in effect at least until the domestic dispute is resolved by the court. With the temporary restraining order, Depp will not be able to have physical or verbal contact with Heard. In addition, he will likely be held in contempt of the temporary restraining order if he tries to contact her through a third party (i.e. mother, friends, and family). At any time, the parties have the ability to settle the case and try to come to a resolution instead of having a full-blown trial.
People assume that to be a victim of domestic violence, it has to be physical, but domestic violence can also be verbal. It can be seldom and it can be just enough to make the victim scared or uncomfortable. Individuals often think that it is the fault of the victim, or that there is a choice to leave. Many times this is not the case. Women don’t leave their partners in many situations because of fear. Many victims have been told that they or their loved ones will be injured or killed if they leave.
Domestic Violence is the leading cause of injury to women and it needs to be at the forefront of the public eye and not just a celebrity topic. Individuals in these situations need to find support and not dismiss the actions of their partners. The public is once again watching a victim stand up and end the cycle of domestic violence.
If you have been the victim of domestic violence, or fear such violence, you can avoid further victimization by contacting an attorney. In Colorado, domestic violence can include any crime or threat committed as a means of coercion, control, punishment, intimidation, or revenge against an intimate partner. There are measures adopted in Colorado that protect domestic violence victims, and an attorney can inform you of those protections as well as institute orders of protection to protect you and your children. These orders of protection can be enacted very quickly, and in some cases can be done without a hearing requiring the presence of the alleged abuser.
It is important that if you are a victim of domestic violence, or are concerned about how you are being treated by an intimate partner, you contact a qualified and experienced Colorado family law attorney. An attorney can inform you of the protections that Colorado law offers.
Please contact the Domestic Team at Cantafio & Song PLLC for all of your domestic and family law needs: (888) 458-0991.