The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a federal law that came into force under the mandate of former President Bill Clinton in 1994. This federal legislation aims to guarantee the protection of women and offer help to women who have suffered domestic violence. In subsequent restitution, the program has been extended to other vulnerable groups, such as the LGBTI+ population, Native Americans, migrants, and anyone who suffers from violence regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin. So, the VAWA program also recognizes the violence against men.
But what is considered abuse under the VAWA program?
The abuse, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations:
“… the phrase ‘was battered by or was the subject of extreme cruelty’ includes, but is not limited to, being the victim of any act or threatened act of violence, including any forceful detention, which results or threatens to result in physical or mental injury.Psychological or sexual abuse or exploitation, including rape, molestation, incest (if the victim is a minor), or forced prostitution shall be considered acts of violence.Other abusive actions may also be acts of violence under certain circumstances, including acts that, in and of themselves, may not initially appear violent but that are a part of an overall pattern of violence. petitioner or the self-petitioner’s child, and must have taken place during the self-petitioner’s marriage to the abuser.”
(See 8 C.F.R. § 204.2(c)(vi).)
Based on this definition, a person is considered to suffer battery or extreme cruelty in a parent-child relationship, and in a spouse relationship, when the abuser, a US citizen or resident, relies on her immigration status to commit abuse. Extreme cruelty can be divided into six types of abuse; Psychological, emotional, verbal, physical, sexual and financial abuse.
Although the definition of abuse is broad, people believe that the abuse they can suffer is only physical, but Actor Johnny Deep demonstrated in the trial he carried out against his ex-wife, actress Amber Heard, that there are several types of abuse, and that defamation is a form of abuse.
Defamation was the last type of abuse – because the evidence was presented that there were other types of abuse – with which Ms. Amber Heard wanted to harm Mr. Deep. With the defamation, she affected the professional career, and consequently, the income of Mr. Deep.
Mrs. Heard used her status as a woman, and an actress, to create an image of an abused woman, to deliberately affect Mr. Deep’s reputation and this resulted in millionaire losses for Mr. Deep.
However, justice has given its verdict and has recognized Mr. Deep as a victim of abuse, and for this reason, he has been given financial compensation for the damage he suffered, which must be paid by his ex-wife.
Just like Mr. Deep, thousands of migrants suffer abuse in their homes from relatives who have more favorable immigration status. The abusers commit all kinds of abuse, from defaming the migrant, to constantly threatening him with deportation to achieve his goals. Most abusers demand large sums of money from their victims or commit blackmail to achieve their goals.
Attorney Farrah Qazi of Qazi Law Offices offers her professional services to victims of domestic abuse who are protected under the VAWA program to improve their immigration status in the country and stop the abuse they suffer.
If you are a victim of abuse you do not have to fear, an immigration lawyer can help you change and improve your situation. And, like Mr. Deep, get justice.
Speak up. Be brave. Begin your case today with Attorney Farrah Qazi by clicking here 30 Minute Consult With Lawyer – Qazi Law offices or call 630 504 0648 today.