Helping to Raise Awareness About Domestic Violence
There have been a lot of stories in the news and online where famous athletes and celebrities have been caught abusing their family members. In Tennessee, abusing a member of your family and/or household is called domestic violence, and it’s a serious crime.
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The goal is to make people throughout the country more conscious of the problem, and to help victims of domestic violence find the help and the resources they need in order to be safe.
What immigrants need to know about domestic violence
In some cultures, it is customary for parents to hit their children, or for husbands to hit their wives, when they’re angry. In America, however, this constitutes physical assault and can lead to you being arrested. Assault is a deportable crime, and those convicted of domestic violence face being removed back to their native countries.
Undocumented immigrant victims of domestic violence may also fear coming forward about the abuse, for fear that they will be removed from the country. We want you to know that there are options available for you to keep you safe and secure here in Tennessee, and that you should not be afraid to speak to a counselor or a police officer (or our office) about your circumstances, even if you didn’t enter the country legally. You and your children may be eligible for:
- U visas
- Asylum (including NACARA)
- Petitions under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
- Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
You also have the right to seek help from the police, whose job it is to protect you.
Other places you can find help
Tennessee offers victims of domestic violence a number of resources and safe havens. Some shelters are just for women, some are just for mothers and their children, and some help all victims regardless of who they are. The Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence provides services all over the state, as does the YWCA. Nashville’s own Mary Parrish Center offers transitional housing to victims in need.
As advocates, we can help give a voice to the women, children and men who suffer at the hands of their families. We encourage everyone to get involved, and to help make Tennessee a safe place.
Perry A. Craft has dedicated his life to helping people in need. He has tried, settled, or resolved numerous civil and criminal cases in State and Federal courts, and has represented teachers and administrators before school boards, administrative judges, and the state Board of Education. Learn more about Attorney Craft.