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Did you know that a report of child abuse is made every ten seconds, and 68% of child abuse victims are abused by family members?  Sadder still is that three out of every four abused children are under the age of four. 

If you or your children have been victims of domestic abuse, a Colorado Springs family lawyer can help you seek legal protection from future abuse.  This may begin with a restraining order, and end in a divorce.  However, there are some cases when child abuse is not recognized until after it has been going on for a long time.

As part of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, many Colorado childrens’ centers are participating in fundraising, awareness and media events.  These include the Kempe Center and the Tennyson Center for Children.  They will be promoting child abuse awareness by asking parents who suspect child abuse or neglect to look for the following warning signs:

A child may:

• Shows sudden behavioral changes or a marked change in school performance
• Not have received appropriate medical treatment for problems that have been brought to the parent’s attention
• Be in a constantly watchful mode, as if expecting something bad to happen
• Have difficulty concentrating or learning
• Be either passive, withdrawn or overly compliant with adults
• Arrive early to school activities or stays late, not wanting to go home

A parent may:

• Shows a lack of concern for their child
• Ask caregivers to use harsh physical discipline if the child misbehaves
• Deny the existence of the child’s problems or blames the child for “wanting attention”
• See the child worthless, burdensome or bad
• Demand a level of academic or physical performance that the child can never achieve
• Look to the child for attention, care, and satisfaction of emotional needs

If you are involved in a separation or divorce where abuse has been present or suspected, a Colorado Springs family lawyer can help you take the necessary steps to prevent your child from spending time with the abusive parent. 

If you know of a child who is being abused or neglected, call 1.800.4.A.CHILD (1.800.422.4453) for the Child Help National Child Abuse Hotline.

Patricia Marrison is a Family Law attorney in Colorado Springs, CO. and the owner of the Marrison Family Law LLC, Colorado Springs largest Family Law practice.  The Marrison Family Law LLC is devoted to assisting with the difficulties of the breakup of relationships, be it common law marriage, a non-marriage with children, or dissolution with or without children. We attempt to serve the entire spectrum of relationships, from those couples with the simplest, uncontested dissolution to the highly conflicted relationship involving allegations of domestic abuse.