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Free Guide to Hiring a Family Lawyer
Domestic violence in Giron is addressed under Colombia's national legal framework and through local institutions that provide immediate protection, investigation, and support. Domestic violence includes physical harm, psychological abuse, sexual violence, economic coercion, and other harmful behaviors between family or household members and intimate partners. National laws set criminal sanctions, protection measures, and prevention obligations, while municipal bodies offer front-line assistance, emergency action, and referrals to health and social services.
If you are in immediate danger in Giron, contacting local emergency services and the nearest police station should be the first step. After immediate safety is secured, legal and psychosocial channels can be pursued to obtain protection measures and to start criminal or civil procedures.
You may need a lawyer in cases of domestic violence for many reasons - to understand your rights, to obtain protection measures, to file criminal complaints, or to pursue civil remedies. A lawyer can help you gather and preserve evidence, request urgent court or administrative orders, represent you before the Fiscalía (Public Prosecutor) and the criminal courts, and advise you on family-law matters such as separation, child custody, and support.
Common situations where legal help is important include: violent incidents that require criminal investigation; repeated harassment or stalking; requests for restraining orders and exclusion-from-home orders; disputes over custody or visitation after violence; claims for compensation for damages; and when you need representation because you are filing a formal criminal complaint or facing legal proceedings initiated by the alleged aggressor.
Key aspects of the legal framework that apply in Giron include national criminal law, specialized legislation on gender-based violence, and local institutional procedures for protection and assistance. Important elements to know -
- Criminal sanctions: Violent acts such as assault, bodily injury, sexual offenses, threats, and homicide are punishable under Colombia's Penal Code. When these acts occur within the family or against an intimate partner they can be prosecuted as ordinary crimes with aggravating circumstances related to domestic contexts.
- Specialized gender violence law: Law 1257 of 2008 and related policies create obligations for prevention, protection, and attention to violence against women, including access to specialized services and protection measures. These laws emphasize a gender perspective in investigation and assistance.
- Protection measures: Family Commissariats - Comisarías de Familia - and judges can issue immediate protective measures such as prohibiting contact, ordering the aggressor to leave the home temporarily, establishing custody rules, and requiring distance from the victim and children. Police can enforce emergency protection and the Fiscalía can request precautionary measures during criminal investigations.
- Evidence and medical reports: For criminal prosecution and for obtaining measures, medical-legal reports issued by Medicina Legal, police records, photographs, messages, witness statements, and other documentation are crucial. Early medical attention is important both for health and for generating official records.
- Civil and family procedures: Victims may pursue separation, divorce, child custody and support claims, and civil claims for moral and material damages in civil courts. Administrative bodies such as the Personería Municipal and Defensoría del Pueblo can provide advice and help link you to services.
If you are in immediate danger call the emergency services and the police in Giron. Move to a safe place if possible - a neighbor, friend or public place - and make the call. If you cannot speak freely, try to send a text or ask someone nearby for help. After safety is secured, document the incident and seek medical attention if needed.
Yes - local authorities can issue urgent protection measures. The Comisaría de Familia, a judge, or the police can take immediate steps to protect you, such as ordering the aggressor to stay away or leave the home. The Fiscalía can also request precautionary measures during criminal investigations. It is important to report the incident and ask specifically for protection measures.
The police can detain an aggressor when there is evidence of a criminal act or when the situation is an immediate threat. Whether a formal arrest occurs depends on the facts, the severity of the act, and the evidence. You can ask the police for a written report of the incident - this will be important for formal complaints and for the Fiscalía.
No, you can file a criminal complaint directly with the police or the Fiscalía. However, a lawyer can help ensure your complaint is complete, help preserve evidence, and represent you during the investigative and judicial process. If you cannot afford a private lawyer, local institutions such as the Personería Municipal, Defensoría Pública, or specialized NGOs may offer legal assistance or referrals.
Keep any documents and records that show the abuse - medical reports, photos of injuries, screenshots of messages, emails, voice messages, police reports, witness statements, and dates and descriptions of incidents. Go to Medicina Legal when possible for an official medical-legal exam after physical or sexual assault. Store copies in a safe place or with a trusted person.
Yes. Protection measures can include temporary arrangements for custody and visitation to protect the children. Courts can also decide on custody and visitation in family proceedings, prioritizing the children's best interests. Seek legal advice and request immediate protection from Comisaría de Familia or the courts when children are at risk.
Once a criminal complaint is filed, the Fiscalía decides whether to continue with the investigation and prosecution. Victims can express their wishes, but the Fiscalía may continue prosecuting if there is sufficient evidence and public interest. Dropping a complaint does not automatically end criminal proceedings.
Yes - victims may seek temporary or ongoing support from the aggressor during family proceedings, and may pursue civil claims for damages for physical, psychological and material harm. The courts and institutions can also refer you to social programs, shelters and assistance services. A lawyer can explain the options and help prepare the necessary claims.
Local health centers, hospitals and the municipal health authority provide medical care. For forensic documentation of injuries, you can request a medical-legal exam through Medicina Legal. Mental health and psychosocial support may be available through municipal programs, the Comisaría de Familia or NGOs specializing in gender-based violence. Ask local authorities for referrals.
You can request free legal representation or advice from public institutions - the Personería Municipal, the Defensoría Pública for criminal defense matters, and local NGOs that offer legal assistance in domestic violence cases. Many municipalities also have programs or partnerships that provide pro bono or low-cost services for victims.
Useful local and national bodies and services to contact or seek out in Giron -
- Comisaría de Familia de Giron - immediate family protection, mediation and requests for protection measures.
- Policia Nacional - local station in Giron for urgent response and initial incident reports.
- Fiscalía General de la Nación - office that receives criminal complaints and conducts investigations.
- Personería Municipal de Giron - provides legal guidance and defends public interests and individual rights at the municipal level.
- Defensoría Pública - public defense for people who need criminal defense or legal representation and cannot afford private counsel.
- Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar - ICBF - for the protection of children and adolescents affected by violence.
- Medicina Legal - for medical-legal examinations, documentation of injuries and forensic evidence.
- Local health services and municipal social services - for medical and psychosocial support.
- Local and national NGOs working on gender-based violence - for shelter, legal support and specialized counselling.
1. Prioritize safety - if you or your children are in immediate danger call emergency services and the police, and move to a safe location.
2. Seek medical attention - obtain medical care and, when appropriate, request a medical-legal exam to document injuries.
3. Preserve evidence - keep photos, messages, medical records, police reports and witness information in a secure place.
4. Report the incident - file a complaint with the police or the Fiscalía and ask for protective measures through the Comisaría de Familia or the courts.
5. Get legal assistance - contact the Personería Municipal, Defensoría Pública, a private lawyer or an NGO for legal advice and representation.
6. Access social and psychological support - seek counselling and social services to help with recovery and planning long-term safety.
7. Plan next legal steps - with your lawyer, consider criminal complaints, protection orders, custody or support claims, and any civil remedies for damages.
Remember - you do not have to handle this alone. Local institutions in Giron are mandated to protect victims and to provide guidance and referrals. If you are unsure where to start, ask for help at the Comisaría de Familia or the Personería Municipal so they can connect you with the right services and legal support.
