Tapestri

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is violence that happens at home between people who know each other: husbands and wives, boyfriends and girlfriends whether or not they live together, same sex partners, relatives, and parents and their children. Domestic violence is a way of acting in an intimate or family relationship in which one partner is forced to change his or her behavior in response to threats or abuse from the other partner. A lot of times, the violence is physical, but it can also be threats, isolation, intimidation, harassment, emotional mistreatment, forced sex or making threats with regard to having you or your children deported.

If you are experiencing domestic violence in your home, you are not alone. Even though most domestic violence is usually hidden, it is very common and it probably affects people who you know.

Domestic violence will often get worse with time. It is important to remember that the violence is not your fault; your abuser chooses to use domestic violence to control you. Domestic violence is a crime in the United States. Every person can get help to stop domestic violence even if they do not have legal permission from the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), formerly known as Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), to be in the United States.

This website will refer to the abuser as "he." Research conducted by the Department of Justice shows that over 95% of abusers are men. Domestic violence also occurs in same sex relationships, and while not all legal remedies listed will apply to same-sex abuse, this website will provide some important information about resources and things you can do to make yourself safe.

Are you a victim of Domestic Violence?

Does your Spouse or Partner …

Hit, punch, slap, or kick you, your children, or your pets?
Threaten to hurt or kill you?
Make you have sex when you do not want to?
Threaten to report you to the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) and have you deported?
Threaten to take your children away?
Control where you go and whom you can see, talk to, or write to?
Control your access to money, take your money away from you, or make you say how you spend every penny?
Stop you from getting a job or learning English?
Refuse to file immigration papers for you or threaten to withdraw these papers?
Withhold or destroy your passport and other personal documents?
Make you feel like a prisoner in your own home?
Make fun of you and insult you in private or in front of others?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may be a victim of domestic violence.

Remember: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS NOT YOUR FAULT! You are not alone. There are places you can go and things that you can do to protect yourself and your children.

Rights and Options for Battered Refugee and Immigrant Women

Click on links below for additional information:

Domestic Violence Shelters

Legal and Immigration Options

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS ABOUT YOUR LIFE. NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO HURT YOU OR YOUR CHILDREN IN ANY WAY!

We want to acknowledge that material on Domestic Violence is from Legal Momentum & Organización en California de Líderes Campesinas, Inc.’s “Advocacy to Improve Services for Battered Migrant and Immigrant Women Living in Rural Communities” Manual.