My Dilemma...

[Abby77 0]

If you were deceived into marrying him it doesn't matter for Vawa cases, and by the way i don't think you have a Vawa case at all.

I think your husband is a lunatic, but it doesn't mean he is an abuser.To prove mental abuse is "hard" and you need to prove that you suffered "extremely mental abuse". For everything you told here I don't see how you were mentally abused. You will need a psychological evaluation and the psychologist must state due the mental abuse you are suffering pos traumatic disorder, or dissociative disorders, mood issues, or having panic attacks, depression, severe anxiety. You must prove you are doing therapy and/or taking medications. I deal with Vawa cases every single day and let me tell you those that had Vawa approved based in mental abuse they were able to prove the mental abuse changed the way they live and/or saw life, they are in agony, struggling to move on, feeling helpless,worthless,abandoned,rejected and because of that they felt isolated,controlled,ignored,humiliated.

I understand what you are saying about no proof. The fact is I haven't reached out to anyone other than friends and a few family members because of fear. One friend did advise that I go seek help at a woman's shelter. On multiple occasions I have had to grab my handbag with car keys and try to get out the house as fast as I can because he got so violent and I didn't know what else he may do. On at least one occasion he tried to physically stop me from leaving by pushing me away from the door. I would tell him I'm going to call the cops but never did because I feared what would happen if I went to the cops given that I overstayed. I do feel some of the mental abuse symptoms you mentioned but have no official documentation of it. At the end of the day, I doubt anyone here will come away with a complete and very clear picture of what I've been going through, because I really can't put it all here.

[Sandra G. 5,057]

Abby77 then find a psychologist, you can find some free treatments in your area, after a few therapy sessions if she gives you a letter stating about what she believes you suffered and if she diagnoses that you are suffering pos traumatic disorder, or dissociative disorders, mood issues, or having panic attacks, depression, severe anxiety then you can file form I-360, to have a Vawa case.If you don't have a place to stay yes you can seek help at a woman's shelter.If you fear for your life you can get a restraining order against him.

Edited September 14, 2012 by sandranj

[ceadsearc 516]

At this point VAWA is your only option. But as you have been told, the burden of proof of abuse is on you.