If you have experienced domestic violence and are currently living with your abuser, the uncertainty around the current global health crisis is impacting you even more than most. When both parties must be in the house for all or the majority of the day, tensions are likely to rise.
There is also a great deal of economic uncertainty for many families in Colorado, and financial stress oftentimes directly impacts levels of domestic violence. Maybe you were considering leaving, and now you feel trapped again.
The good news is that GEM Family Law can help. Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan B. Coats entered an Order regarding COVID-19 and the operation of Colorado’s courts. The Order suspends some court operations, specifically including many jury trials. However, the Order also specifically ordered that Petitions for Temporary Civil Protection Orders and Permanent Protection Orders still continue to be heard. Although things change daily, our resources tell us that courthouses in Colorado will generally still resolve emergency matters.
The family law attorneys at GEM Family Law have helped dozens of victims of domestic violence obtain Protection Orders. GEM’s office is fully operational, and while all of us are working from a virtual platform and safely socially distancing ourselves, we the technology and resources to help you pursue a protection order.
By providing online attorney services, GEM can set up a phone call (you can call us at a safe time) or a video conference to discuss the facts of your case, as we normally would in person. We can assist you in setting up your phone with applications to take pictures of evidence you would usually bring to us in person so that we can still see it clearly. We can conduct most or all communication via email, if that is the safest way to communicate while you are in your home.
GEM’s staff is also trained as Application Assistants in Colorado’s Address Confidentiality Program and can assist you with your application to obtain a completely private address that no one, specifically your abuser, can find. As we are experienced in this area, we can also refer you to resources, such as a domestic violence shelter, programs that assist with resumes and finding jobs, and therapy for you and your children.
If you are in life threatening danger, please always call 911. If you are experiencing a cycle of abuse and need assistance filing a protection order, please call our experienced team of family law attorneys at GEM Family Law, and we can help remotely via our online attorney services.
Authored by Partner Meagan K. Moodie, our in-house domestic violence specialist.
Other Resources for Survivors:
Violence Free Colorado: Find a variety of services and resources for survivors of domestic violence on the Violence Free Colorado resources page.
Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance: Visit COVA’s online Crime Victim Services Directory to connect with victim service providers throughout the State of Colorado.
Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault: Find information on what to do and where to find help in Colorado after a sexual assault at CCASA’s resources page.
Rocky Mountain Victim Law Center: Rocky Mountain Victim Law Center is a Colorado nonprofit organization providing free legal assistance to victims of violent crime to help enforce their rights under the Victims’ Rights Act.
Legal Information Network of Colorado: The Legal Information Network of Colorado (LINC) is a collaborative network that provides confidential, no-cost, comprehensive legal information services for crime victims in the Denver metro area.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: NDVH’s highly-trained advocates are available 24/7/365 to talk confidentially with anyone experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship. An online chat service is available at the NDVH’s website.
1-800-799-7233
TTY: 1-800-787-3224
VP: 1-855-812-1011
National Network to End Domestic Violence: Find the latest social, political and economic news surrounding domestic violence at NNEDV’s website.