My ex and I have been separated for 8 1/2 years we have a court order with visitation and child support, he never paid until recently and I have always let him see our son. My son has came home a couple of times very emotional and tells me that his dad talks about his step father, he will yell at my son just for calling his step father- dad( he has been with me since my son was 2 years old). My son has played baseball and his stepdad was a coach, when his dad found out he threw a fit and of course yelled at my son. My son quit baseball this season because his dad made a scene in front of all the team and their families, everybody who saw it was shocked they said it was very uncalled for and embarrassing for my son. I know his father can be abusive, he has been physical with me in the past, that is why we are no longer together. In this past month child support was en forced and I think his father is very unhappy about it. What has brought me to this is last month my son was at his dads house for a regular weekend visit and he called me around 10:30 crying and saying he wans to come home. So I go pick him up when I got there I asked his dad what happened and he said he is very disappointed in danny and he doesn't want to see him or talk to him until he is ready to apologize, when I asked for what he said my son didn't want to go with his grandparents to Napa Valley I told him he was being ridiculous and when we were leaving he made sure to tell my son he doesn't want to see him or talk to him. I talked to my son and asked what had happened he told me that they asked he said no his dad took him to the room and started yelling at my him, calling him an idiot an smacking him across the head then throwing a pillow at his face. I don't feel like my son should have to keep going through this, I have always talked to him when he is upset letting him know I'm here for him and now he is telling me he doesn't want to see his dad anymore because he is afraid and even though his dad has not wanted to see him for the past month he had demanded to see him this weekend I don't want to make my son go, I am not even comfortable sending him after hearing what he has done and said. What can I do to protect my son or what steps should I take to make sure this doesn't happen again?

You can petition the court to modify visitation. You have to bring your proof as to why supervised visitation would be best for your son. The sooner the better and of course getting a lawyer is always a benefit.