Individuals that had suffered family violence may process their immigration status. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) offer relief to a battered spouse, a battered child, or a battered parent if they can show a history of abuse committed by an American or a United States legal permanent resident. The VAWA allows the qualifying relative (battered individual) to apply for an immigrant visa without the abuser’s knowledge. Due to the sensitivity of this type of cases, there are many measures taken at every step, and by all those involved, to ensure confidentiality.
There are many types of abuse, such as emotional, verbal, physical, sexual or financial.
This assessment aims to gather information about the history and characteristics of the abuse; as well as the psychiatric symptoms that can be caused by the traumatic experience (such as anxiety, depression, panic attacks, sleep disorder, etc.).
As with every evaluation process, sessions will consist of a comprehensive clinical interview as well as formal psychological testing to assess the psychological impact of your condition. It may also involve the review of records and other sources..