With regard to domestic violence, it is crucial to keep in mind that each situation is unique and there are many factors that can make a case complicated. For example, some people may have children and could worry about how dealing with domestic violence could affect them. Or, someone may be subjected to domestic violence after immigrating to Florida, unsure of their legal rights and afraid to speak up. However, any occurrences of domestic violence must be addressed and victims deserve a voice.
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, domestic violence victims have protections under criminal law as well as civil law when it comes to abuse, without regard to their immigration status or citizenship status. Furthermore, immigrants are entitled to file for a divorce without their spouse’s permission and they can also apply for protection orders for their children as well as themselves. Sometimes, immigrants are able to receive child support or a portion of their spouse’s marital property after divorce.
Immigrants who think they may have been abused and all victims of domestic violence should recognize the differrent types of unlawful mistreatment. While domestic violence may consist of physical abuse, it can also be emotional, verbal, sexual and even financial in nature. If your partner has abused you, you should not be afraid to take action against the abuse, regardless of whether you recently immigrated to the country or were born in the U.S.
This post in no way constitutes legal counsel and is provided for general informational purposes.
