Choosing Adoption in Domestic Violence Situations
By Madeline McRae
In this day and age, domestic abuse accounts for more than 15% of all violent crimes. Unfortunately, many women endure domestic violence in their homes. While many struggles with this, it is the last thing they want their unborn baby to grow up with. That is why many birth mothers seek out adoption. With that statistic, it is vital to get this information about what women can do to protect themselves and their future child. Knowing what you can do may help you or a friend out of a dangerous situation. What you can do right now is try to stay as calm as possible. Our adoption specialists in Adoption Choices of Colorado are here to get you all the help you need throughout this time. If you need adoption help now, please call or text us at 303-670-4673 (HOPE) or visit us at Adoption Choices of Colorado.
Find a Safe Environment When in a Domestic Violence Situation
If you are in an unsafe environment and are able to leave, it’s best to try to get out of it as safely as possible. Contact professionals such as the authorities or someone of equal measure. After that, you may be placed in a safe house where you are able to get on your feet again. Either financially, emotionally, or whatever it may be. Having a safe environment to plan out what you want to do for the adoption plan may help you pick the best and safest path.
Contact Adoption Agency
Choosing to contact Adoption Choices of Colorado would be your best bet in finding more information about how you can deal with an abusive or violent partner. Luckily it is possible to start the adoption process without the father’s consent if the court deems them unfit to parent. What matters is the trust and openness you have with the court system as well as the adoption agency in Denver. Many adoption counselors may advise you of your rights depending on your state and how to put a child up for adoption.
Getting Protection Before and After Your Adoption
After getting in contact with Adoption Choices of Colorado, it is important for you to get in contact with authorities if you are still in danger. Such as a safe house or local/state authorities. Setting up any precautions, like restraining orders, that might be needed to keep you safe is of utmost importance.
Staying Safe Throughout Your Adoption
The situation of domestic and violent relationships is an extreme and dangerous one. It is important for you to keep your safety in mind. If you are pregnant and considering adoption, make sure to follow steps that will keep the safety of you and the future child in mind. Contact Adoption Choices of Colorado and authorities in your area and get to a safe environment as soon as you can, either by loved ones or professionals that you can trust. If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and want to learn more about your adoption options, contact Adoption Choices of Colorado by email, phone, or text: Email Us, Text us: 720-371-1099, Call us: 303-670-4673 (HOPE). Are you hoping to adopt? Please contact us here. If you are someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call Domestic Violence Assistance at 702-451-4203. Visit Safe House for more information
If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
Stephanie joined the Adoption Choices family in 2014 as the Child Placement Supervisor. Her love for adoption began in first grade when she made friends with twins adopted from Vietnam. Her heart grew strong over the years for adopted children and ultimately led her to graduate school where she continued her focus to her dream of working in the adoption field. Stephanie earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver in 2001. Over the past 15 years, Stephanie has worked as a pregnancy counselor and as an adoptive parent counselor for foster care, international adoption and domestic adoption, writing hundreds of home studies for families, and helping build their forever families. Stephanie is married and has three boys ages 12, 9, and 5. Together with her family she enjoys riding bike, playing games, watching her three sons compete in their various sporting and musical activities and go on vacations.
Christy Ikeler, is our Executive Director and Birth Parent Director. Christy has been with Adoption Choices Team for 18 years, since opening the doors in 2002! Christy has a true passion for what she does and her true love is working with and helping each birth parent. Whether she is up all night on the phone talking with them, taking them to doctors appointments, out for their favorite treat, providing counseling or at the hospital during labor and delivery, Christy is very involved every step of the way. She has a contagious laugh and a spunky personality that our birth moms all can bond with and relate to. As an adoptive parent herself, adoption holds a very special place in her heart and she can relate on every level with both birth parents and adoptive parents. In her free time Christy loves spending time with her daughter, gardening, baking and taking vacations with her family. Christy is an excellent leader for our team at Adoption Choices and is truly one of a kind!! As Executive Director, Christy spends time with the staff, birth parents and adoptive families in order to ensure that the agency is running smoothly. She has placed a huge emphasis on community outreach and programs for birth parents. Christy loves the opportunity to lead the agency into a brighter future.
Ms. Mackenzie has built a successful counseling career over the past 20 years, supporting mothers and families, people of all ages and genders, students, community professionals and fellow clinicians. Liv values a diverse professional focus, including the entrepreneurial life of a sole proprietor, the evaluative process of certifying foster/adoptive homes, the insightful and mindful one-on-one one work with enthusiastic clients, and serving as an advocate for underserved populations. Liv is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a BA in Pre-Law and Economics from American University, an MA in Counseling from Adams University and a certificate in Human Resource Management from Villanova University. Away from work you will find Liv spending time in nature, biking to the farmer’s market and adventuring with her family.
Catherine A. Madsen, joined the Adoption Choices family as legal counsel in 2013. Catherine is responsible for providing legal guidance to the Agency, training and updating staff on developments in adoption law and legislation, and program development. Catherine
Virginia Frank is an adoption attorney accredited since 1991 with the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. Ms. Frank is a leader in the field of private adoption and has completed over 4,000 adoptions in her career. Ms. Frank has a law degree from Oklahoma City University and a BA in both Political Science and Communications from the University of Oklahoma.
Cassidie has been with Adoption Choices since 2015, she has her bachelors in Interdisciplinary Affairs with concentrations in both Sociology and Business Management. Cassidie has additional training in Victim Advocacy, foster care and has been working in women’s services for over 10 years. Cassidie has always had a heart for adoption and it was her career dream to work in adoption. She started off doing volunteer work for advocacy programs, adoption organizations and worked in High Risk Maternal Fetal Medicine through the University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Colorado. Cassidie is also blessed to have personally experienced an adoption of her own in 2012, completing her family of five! Cassidie loves what she does as a case worker from initial phone calls, meetings, doctor appointments, interaction with the adoptive families to delivery and counseling. Cassidie has a passion for those in need and strives to help make a difference in the lives of the people she meets. She is a firm believer in being kind, compassionate and open minded in all situations. “Unless you’ve walked in their shoes, there’s no place for judgment. A kind word or compliment can go a long way!” The bittersweet moments in adoption reminds Cassidie each and every time, why she loves what she does!