Sexual Abuse on Children by Father Who Lives in Another Country

[ninnicolorado]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Colorado.

My ex-husband sexually abused our children over several years. (They were between two and nine years old when it happened.) One of my daughters finally told me about it and I went to the police. The police and the DA's office are telling me that it's hard to do something since he lives in Switzerland and doesn't come over here any longer. (The sexual abuse happened in Colorado, Switzerland and Italy.) I had to go to civil court to get a no contact order, but first of all it's not well written and second, I do not want him to be able to continue to do what he has done to our children to any other child.

Where do I turn to get the case moving forward? Why is it so hard to get justice if somebody lives in another country? Do different countries not work together against sex offenders?

[Dogmatique]

A no contact order does not mean that he's a convicted sex offender.

So, has he been convicted of anything in the US?

[ninnicolorado]

No. The police and DA's office are saying that they cannot arrest him and charge him if he doesn't come to Colorado.
That's the problem here. He sexually abused all three of his children and got away with it since he lives in another country...

I want to find out if there is a way to put an warrant for his arrest and get a case going even if he doesn't come over to the USA anytime soon.

[aardvarc]

Sure, they can issue a warrant if they can establish enough to convince a judge to order one. But without an actual defendant to face trial, there's no one to bring a case against. If he isn't IN the court with jurisdiction (Colorado can only try him for crimes that occurred IN Colorado, Switzerland can only prosecute for crimes that occurred IN Switzerland), then nothing happens. If he's in Switzerland, and crimes occurred there, then Switzerland can arrest and prosecute for those particular crimes. Is the victim/witness willing and able to GO to Switzerland to pursue the matter?