Domestic Violence Lawyers in Colorado

Colorado Orders of Protection

If you or someone you care about is the victim of domestic violence, child abuse, or any other abuse, taking legal action can help protect you against further threats or injuries. Cantafio & Song PLLC will act immediately to put in place a Civil Protection Order. While this legal action cannot ensure an abusive individual does not violate the order, it does give law enforcement the authority to take the person into custody if he or she does. This legal pressure can control a dangerous situation and protect you from harm from an abusive spouse or domestic partner.

Contact us today to get the compassionate representation you deserve. 

Domestic Violence Goes Beyond Just Traditional Notions

Often, when one thinks of victims associated with domestic violence, an image of a “battered woman” or an “abusive husband” first comes to mind. However, it is important that people become more educated on what domestic violence really is—on its broad-sweeping effects and on the many forms that domestic violence can take.

One of the greater misconceptions associated with domestic violence is that it is limited to physical acts of violence only. This is not the case. The law holds that even those who are not actually being abused physically can be victims of domestic violence.

Domestic violence is a systematic pattern of coercive, controlling behavior. While true, this type of coercive behavior can include physical abuse, it can also include emotional, psychological, sexual, and/or financial abuse (e.g. using money as a tool to exercise control). Those involved in advancing family law proceedings must be mindful of keeping their emotions in check—failure to think before acting can create grave, long-term consequences in the way of restraining orders for example, which can last up to four years with the potential for renewal.

Another common misconception surrounding domestic violence is its association with having female victims only. In reality, domestic violence affects individuals in every community—gender, age, economic status, sexual orientation, race, religion, and nationality aside. The disturbing physical, emotional, and mental consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime.

Detecting the early or even more developed stages of domestic violence is not always easy. Domestic violence often intensifies over time. Initially abusers may seem wonderful, but then progressively become more hostile and controlling as the relationship ensues. For example, what may start out as something that appears to be harmless (e.g., wanting the victim to spend all of their time only with them) can then escalate into acute abusive control (e.g., threatening to kill or harm the victim or their loved ones if the victim speaks to certain individuals).

While only the abuser can truly put an end to the violent behavior, a victim of domestic violence can try and take measures to best address their situation, whether they’re thinking of staying or leaving. For example, survivors may consider utilizing a support group or placing anonymous calls to their local domestic violence program to seek help. Victims of domestic violence may also consider obtaining a protection order or staying in a shelter.

In any case, it is important a victim remembers the abuse is not their fault and that support is available for themselves and their loved ones. If you are in danger of domestic violence, please call 911 or a local or national hotline.