For many who have experienced domestic abuse, getting away is a process involving careful planning, secrecy, and efforts to stay alive. This often includes finding a safe
, waiting for the abuser to be less vigilant, and leaving secretly.
However, a new could now prevent survivors from accessing help, even after they escape.
This policy, called the Legal Services Condition, mandates that survivors prove their immigration status before receiving aid from programs funded by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). VAWA has been crucial for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking for over 30 years.
Dr. Sarah Gundle, a clinical psychologist specializing in trauma, states that this directive is a betrayal at every level. The consequences of denying help to a survivor are dire, potentially leading to life-or-death situations and causing significant psychological trauma.
Twenty states and D.C. have challenged the policy. However, the damage may already be done. The message to survivors, especially immigrants, is clear: safety is conditional.
U.S. citizens and documented victims may also be turned away if they lack proof of their citizenship or legal status.
Joan Meier, Esq, Director of The National Family Violence Law Center, explains that this order not only excludes undocumented victims but also forces victims to obtain immigration documents, which abusers may control. Some victims cannot obtain these documents without alerting their abuser. Meier also notes that this directive turns community organizations into immigration screeners.
Researchers have long recognized that the moment a victim attempts to leave is the most dangerous. A study by the University of Pennsylvania and UCLA found that one-third of victims murdered by their partners were killed after attempting to leave.
Lauren Wellbank, a writer from Pennsylvania, experienced violent threats from her former fiancé. She recalls being strangled until she lost consciousness after he threatened to kill her if she left. Upon regaining consciousness, she knew she had to escape and fabricated a reason to leave.
After the breakup, he stalked her and attempted to break into her home. Police warned her of further danger and directed her to a local organization that aids domestic violence victims, which helped her obtain a permanent restraining order. Her abuser was later arrested.
Wellbank’s experience is not unique. Intimate partner homicide is a leading cause of death for women in the United States, with nearly three women killed by a partner every day.
Upcoming federal budget cuts will further impede victims’ ability to escape.
On July 4, a bill was passed that reduces Medicaid funding by billions, cuts affordable housing, and limits access to healthcare and crisis intervention services—all crucial for survivors’ safety.
Laura Guy, a clinical social worker in New York City, warns that these are the most drastic cuts to the public health system ever seen.
She explains that the cuts could eliminate safe spaces where victims can seek help without their abuser’s knowledge, such as school-based health centers. These centers, typically run by local organizations, universities, or hospitals within school buildings, offer confidential services to students and families.
Financial abuse is a common tactic in violent relationships. Abusers often restrict access to funds to keep victims dependent. Public assistance benefits can be vital for survivors trying to break free from financial dependence. Cutting these benefits endangers lives.
The combined effect of these policies is isolating victims precisely when they need support. Abusers will feel emboldened, knowing their partners have fewer resources to escape. These policies make survival dependent on paperwork and turn shelters into immigration checkpoints.
Despite these challenges, help is still available. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) continues to connect survivors to confidential support in multiple languages. Community organizations also continue to help victims seek services safely.
Rachel Kafele, co-founder of Oasis Legal Services, emphasizes the importance of nonprofits, immigrant rights groups, and domestic violence programs in helping survivors understand their rights, access confidential legal and social services, and create safety plans without fear of deportation. She urges survivors to contact community-based organizations for free services and to seek support during these changes.
For survivors like Wellbank, these connections were life-saving. She believes that cutting domestic violence programs and denying services based on immigration status is a death sentence and that no one can navigate these situations without support.
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