Her daughter’s fear prompted her to act

The threat of death was very real for Sara as she attempted to silently maneuver her way through a violent, tumultuous six-year marriage. Afraid to report the beatings, she continued to be victimized by the mental, emotional, and physical abuse.  Sara was not the only one who was a victim of the domestic violence. Michelle, the couple’s only child, had been terrorized as she witnessed her father’s brutal outbursts and physical blows. Michelle was scared for her mother’s safety, but also her own life.

While Sara feared additional retaliation, that was not the only thing stopping her from reporting the abuse. The possibility of deportation was very real if Sara decided to go to authorities to report the violent behavior. Finally, after seeing the pain and fear in her daughter’s eyes following a particularly violent outburst, Sarah resolved that she and Michelle had taken and seen enough; the risk of deportation was worth ending the cycle of violence.

After reporting her abuse, Sara went to a shelter that provided refuge from the violence and a referral to CCI. At the time of her report, Sara did not know that reporting her abuse qualified her to apply for residency under the U-Visa, an immigration rule specific to witnesses and victims of crime. Her choice helped to shelter her and her daughter from further violence as she prepared to file for a U-Visa.

After a long, trying experience, Sara was informed that her U-Visa was finally approved. Hopefully by sharing this story, other families like Sara and Michelle will understand that no matter who you are or where you live, domestic violence should not be tolerated.
 

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