Victims of domestic violence continuously suffer the effects of the abuse even after separation from their abusers. Reasonably, victims dread going through the court process because of the fear of meeting their abuser eye to eye. Hence, it is only right to protect domestic violence victims from going through the same emotions during divorce hearings. The first step is to ensure that relief is available during these cases.
Special considerations for domestic violence cases
Courts acknowledge that most domestic violence victims have a lingering fear of being in the same room as their abuser. For this reason, courts usually provide special considerations to ensure the victim’s safety and peace of mind. Some of these special arrangements include the following:
- A full hearing without the abuser’s presence
- Separate court entrances and waiting rooms for parties
- The use of protective screens and other tools to prevent parties from seeing each other
Accordingly, the court will apply the necessary measures as requested by the victim and as it deems fit, given the circumstances.
Making use of restraining orders
Colorado allows victims of domestic violence to obtain a restraining order to protect themselves from their abusers. They may first request a temporary restraining order (TRO) and later get a permanent restraining order (PRO). These restraining orders provide personal protection for domestic violence victims, even as they travel to and arrive in court for their divorce hearings.
Protecting the vulnerable
Fear and intimidation will only put a domestic violence victim at a disadvantage during divorce proceedings. Whether the domestic abuse victim is a spouse or a child, the court must ensure their safety by applying necessary measures during proceedings. Accordingly, victims should know their rights so they can take the needed steps to protect them.