One of the most challenging aspects of living with domestic violence is understanding your legal options particularly when you are married to your abuser or share children with your abuser. If you are a victim or survivor of domestic violence it is likely that you have never reported the domestic violence incidents you have experienced to anyone. When you do report domestic violence incidents, one of the tools provided to you by the legal system is a protective order. The harsh reality is that no one can protect you or your children from harm if your partner or ex- partner tries to hurt you. You must have a safety plan to protect yourself and your children. One of the components of your safety plan needs to be a protective order.  READ MORE...

An audit of the Colorado Department of Human Services shows that the Department failed to properly supervise county child welfare services while the Department decided if child abuse and neglect allegations merited investigation. The legislative Audit Committee recently held a hearing to discuss the audit and the results published in the 239-page report.   READ MORE...

Domestic violence is a serious problem, not only in Colorado, but throughout the United States. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. Female victims constitute an overwhelming majority of family violence victims (73%) and about 1.3 million women are victims of a physical assault by a partner each year.  READ MORE...