EvidenceofCoerciveControl:Proofof
ExtremeCrueltyinImmigrationCases
andPowerandControlDynamicsin
FamilyLawCases
July30,2015
WorkshopIII,SessionB
NewOrleans,LA
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
1
Introductions
MaryAnnDutton
• ProfessorofPsychiatry,GeorgetownUniversity
MedicalCenter
RocioMolina
• AssociateDirector/ImmigrationAttorney
NIWAP
CommissionerLorettaYoung,
• FamilyDivision,NewCastleCounty,
Wilmington,Delaware
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
2
LearningObjectives
Bytheendofthistraining,youwillbebetterableto:
• Identifypatternsofcoercivecontrol
• Screenforpatternsofcoercivecontrolexperiencedby
immigrantsurvivors
• Strengthenyourimmigrationandfamilylawcasesby
identifyingpatternsofcoercivecontroltoenhancesafety
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
3
BriefReviewofDynamicsof
DomesticViolence
Let’sDiscuss…
Whatisdomesticviolence?
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
4
DomesticViolenceFallsInto
TwoCategories
LegalDefinition
• Attemptoractual
physicalorsexual
violence
Behavioral
Definition
• Includesemotional
andverbalabuse
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversity,WashingtonCollegeofLaw
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
5
DomesticViolencePrevalenceand
Severity
• U.S.ingeneral:22.1% (NIJ)
• Immigrantwomen:30‐50%
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
6
ImmigrantSurvivorsare
MoreVulnerable
• Researchhasfoundthatimmigrant
victims
– Staylonger
– Havefewerresources
– Sustainmoreseverephysicaland
emotionalconsequencesofabuse
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
7
PrevalenceofAbuseandControl
whenImmigrationStatusisaFactor
• Abuseratesamongimmigrantwomen‐
lifetimeashighas49.8%
• Thosemarriedtocitizensandlawful
permanentresidents– 50.8%
• U.S.citizenspouse/formerspouseabuse
raterisesto59.5%
• Almostthreetimesthenationalaverage
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
8
DynamicsofDomesticViolence
LegalDefinition:
One or more of the following acts between family or
household members:
Attempting to cause or
causing physical harm
Placing another in fear
of imminent serious
physical harm
Causing another to
engage involuntarily in
sexual relations by
force, threat, or duress
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
9
DynamicsofDomesticViolence
BehavioralDefinition:
Apatternofabusiveor
Physical
coercivebehaviorthatis
Emotional
usedbyonepartnerto
gainormaintainpower
andcontroloveran
intimatepartner
Verbal
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
10
CoerciveControlIs:
• Termdevelopedtohelpusunderstand
domesticabuseasmorethana“fight”or
oneincident
• Patternofbehaviorintendedtocontrol
• Mayormaynotbeinterspersedwith
physicalviolence
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
11
WhatisCoerciveControl?
• Strategiesdesignedtoretainprivilegesand
establishdominationinapartner’spersonal
lifebasedon:
– Fear;
– Dependence;and
– Deprivationofbasicrightsandliberties
- Term developed by Evan Stark Ph.D,
MSW. Professor, Rutgers School of
Public Affairs and Administration
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
12
CoerciveControlStrategiesinclude:
•
•
•
•
•
Intimidation
Degradation/Emotionalabuse
Isolation
Control
Mayincludeassault(physical&sexual)
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
13
CoerciveControlExamples
• Abuseinfrontofthe
children
• Sleepdeprivation
• Religiouspersecution
(forbiddingorforcing
religiousobservance)
• Restrictingwhatspouse
eats
• Cuttingoffaccessto
medication
• Socialisolation
• Threateningtotakeaway
thechildren
• Threateningphysical
violence
• Monitoringphoneand
internetuse
• Showingupatvictim’s
work/school
• Causingspouse’s
involuntarycommitment
tomentalinstitution
• Threatsofdeportation
• Threatstocommitsuicide
• Displayingweapons
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
14
Howdoyouscreenfor
coercivecontrol?
• Youmustaskquestions…
– Askgeneralquestions
– Askbehavioralspecificquestions
– Askaboutexperiences
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
15
CoerciveControlScale
UnderstandingofIPVcoercionincorporates
anunderstandingof:
1) A demandorexpectation;
2) A meaningfulandnegativeconsequencefor
noncompliance;and
3) Likelihoodthattheconsequencewillbe
delivered(willing,able,ready)
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
16
WhyIdentifyingCoerciveControlis
Crucial
• Completesthepictureandgivesan
understandingofthesurvivor’sexperiences
andthedegreeofexposuretotrauma
• Showingpatternsofcoercivecontrolcanbe
usedtoestablish“batteryorextremecruelty”
or“substantialharm”neededforimmigration
relief
• Determinestheappropriateremediesneeded
inprotectionorderstosevertheabuser’s
control
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
17
SmallGroupActivity
Identifycoercivecontrolbehaviors
experiencedbyimmigrantsurvivors
Intimidation
Degradation
Control
Isolation
May include
assault (physical
and sexual)
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
18
Intimidation
• Threatsofviolencetopartnerorothercloseto
partner– eventothoseinhomecountry
• Violence/harassmentofotherclosetopartner
• Threatstocallimmigrationonpartnerorto
thoseclosetopartner
• Threatstochildrenorpets
• Destructionofproperty
• Surveillance
• Demean,belittle,disparage
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
19
ScreeningforIntimidation
• Leveloffear
• Threatstokillyou,
himself,orchildren
• Howhasherbehavior
changedbecauseof
fear?
• Stalking
• Threatstocall
immigration
• Invisiblethreats
• Whenareyoumost
frightenedbyyour
partner?
• Recentchanges
• Threatsagainstothers
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
20
Degradation/EmotionalAbuse
• Generallytargetsareasofself‐respect,self‐
esteem
• Targetstraditionalgenderroles
• Demandsubservience
– Adheretorigidsexrolesandexpectations
• Sexualdegradation
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
21
ScreeningforEmotionalAbuse
• Feelingsof
incompetence
• Namecalling
• Restrictsleep
• Yellingscreaming
• Whatdoesyour
partnerdoorsay
whenyoumakea
mistake?
• …or/andwhenyou
refusedemands
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
22
Isolation
• LimitedAccessto:
– Familyandfriends
– Abilitytocalllongdistance
– School,work,church(religion)
– Transportation
– Communication(English)
– Assistanceofhelpingprofessionals
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
23
ScreenforIsolation
•
•
•
•
•
Levelofsupport
Friends
Family
Workmates
Helpers
•
•
•
•
•
Phone
Car
Jealousy
Self‐isolation
Privacy,allowedany
personalpossessions
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
24
Control
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Whattocook
Whentoeat
Whenandwheretosleep
Whattowear
Whentoworkandgotoschool
Whentopetitionforimmigration
Whotogooutwithandwithout
Whenandwithwhomtohavesex
Whattothink
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
25
Control
• Threatenpunishmentfornon‐compliance
– Financial
– Social
– Emotionalor
– Physical
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
26
ScreeningforControl
•
•
•
•
•
•
Materialnecessities
Identitydocuments
Sexuality
Time
Movement
Dailylivingactivities
• Disciplineofchildren
• Whomakesimportant
decisionsorrules
• Forcedorforbidden
religiousobservance
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
27
Assaults
• Actualphysicalorsexualassault
• Oncecrediblethreat(injury/rape)
established,nolongerneedviolenceto
ensurecompliance
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
28
ScreenforViolence
• Typesofviolence
• Typicaldynamic
• Frequency– 1st,
worstmostrecent
• Useofchildren
• Weapons
• Violenceagainst
others
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
29
CaseStudy
YoumeetRaquelatyourkid’ssoccergame.RaquelismarriedtoPhillip.
TheymetintheU.S.whileRaquelwasonastudentvisa,whichhasnow
expired.RaquelandPhilliphave6childrentogether.Phillipdecided
that,sinceRaquelisnotabletoworklegally,heronlyfocusshouldbe
raisingthekidsandmaintainingthehouse. Anytimethekids
misbehave,PhillipblamesRaquel,callinghera“uselesspieceofs*&t”
eveninfrontoftheirchildrenandothers.Sheputsallofherenergy
intomakingsurethekidsarewell‐behaved,almostasifsheisafraidof
Phillip.Soyouaskher,“HasPhilliphaseverhityou?”Shereplies“No.”
Youthinkmaybesheneedsafriend.Youcallherandinvitehertomeet
youforcoffee.ShetellsyouPhillipwouldn’tlikethat;thecoffeeshopis
toofar;andPhillipwouldnoticetheextramilesonthecarandthe
chargeforcoffeeonthebankcard.Shealsoembarrassinglyasksifyou
wouldn’tmindmentioningtoPhillipatthenextgamethatyoucalled
herphone,becausehedoesn’tliketoseenewnumbersinherphone.
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
30
RolePlayActivity
• Asavictimserviceprovider,whatquestions
wouldyouaskRaquel?
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
31
Immigration‐RelatedAbuse




Refusaltofileimmigrationpaperson
spouse/child/parent’sbehalf
Threatsorwithdrawalofsurvivor’s
immigrationcase
Forcingavictimtoworkwithfalse
documents
CallstoDepartmentofHomeland
Securitytohave:
 Thevictimdeported
 Denyvictim’simmigrationcase
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
32
CoerciveControlOver
ImmigrationStatus
• Amongabusivespouseswhocould
havefiledlegalimmigrationpapersfor
victims:
– 72.3%neverfileimmigrationpapers
– The27.7%whodidfilehadameandelay
of3.97years
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
33
EffectsofImmigrationRelatedAbuse
• Keepssurvivorsfrom…
– Callingpolice
– Cooperatinginprosecutions
– Seekingprotectionorders
• 65%ofimmigrantvictimsreportsomeform
ofimmigrationrelatedabuse(NIJ)
• Keepssurvivorinabusiverelationships
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
34
Immigration‐RelatedAbuse&Lethality
• 10timeshigherinrelationshipswith
physical/sexualabuseasopposedto
psychologicalabuse
• Lethalityfactorcanpredictabuseescalation
• Corroboratesexistenceofphysicaland
sexualabuse
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
35
VAWA,TandU‐visaImmigration
ProvisionsNeededTo‐‐
• Severabuser/perpetratorcontrolover
– Immigrationstatus
– Criminaljusticesystemintervention
– Victimandchildren
• Lockingvictimsinabusivefamilyrelationships
• Keepingvictimsfromleavingabusiveemployers
• Stoppingvictimsfromseekinghelp
• Providevictimsaccesstoservices,help,
healing,safety,andeconomicsecurity
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
36
UnderImmigrationLawVictimsof“Battering
orExtremeCruelty”HaveAccessto
ImmigrationRelief
– Emotionalabuse
– Economicabuse
– Usingchildren
– Deportationthreats
andimmigration
relatedabuse
– *Intimidation
– *Socialisolation
– *Degradation
– Possessiveness
– Harmingpets
– *Coercivecontrol
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
37
DHSAdjudicationsExaminePatterns
ofCoerciveControl
• Settingthestage
– Creatingandexploitingexistingvulnerabilities
– Wearingdownresistance
– Facilitatingattachment
•
•
•
•
Coercivedemand
Crediblethreat
Surveillance
Deliveryofconsequences
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
38
VAWASelf‐PetitioningRulePreamble:
“Theactsmentionedinthisdefinition‐rape,
molestation,incest,ifthevictimisaminor,
andforcedprostitution‐ willberegardedas
actsofviolencewhenevertheyoccur.Many
otherabusiveactionsmayalsobe
qualifyingacts ofviolenceunderthisrule.
Actsthatinandofthemselvesdonot
initiallyappearviolent,maybeapartofan
overallpatternofviolence…”
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
39
VAWASelf‐PetitioningRulePreamble:
“Itisnotpossibletociteallperpetrationsthat
couldbeactsofviolenceundercertain
circumstances.TheServicedoesnotwishtomislead
apotentiallyqualifiedself‐petitionerbyestablishing
apartiallistthatmaybesubjectto
misinterpretation.Thisrule,therefore,doesnot
itemizeabusiveactsotherthanthosefew
particularlyegregiousexamplesmentionedinthe
definitionofthephrase‘wasbatteredorwassubject
toextremecruelty.’”
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
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VAWASelf‐PetitioningRule:
Forthepurposeofthischapter,thephrase"was
batteredbyorwasthesubjectofextremecruelty"
includes,butisnotlimitedto,beingthevictimof
anyactorthreatenedactofviolence, including
anyforcefuldetention,whichresultsorthreatensto
resultinphysicalormentalinjury.Psychologicalor
sexualabuseorexploitation,includingrape,
molestation,incest(ifthevictimisaminor),or
forcedprostitutionshallbeconsideredactsof
violence.
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
41
DHSVAWASelf‐Petitioning
Regulations
• “Nolimitonthetimethatmayhaveelapsedsince
thelastincidentofqualifyingabuse”
• Adoptssamedefinitionfor“batteryorextreme
cruelty”asthe1990batteredspousewaiver
• “Provenflexibleandsufficientlybroadto
encompassalltypesofdomesticbatteryor
extremecruelty”
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
42
DHS:NoRequirementofAnySpecific
QuantityofHarmorAbusiveIncidents
•
•
•
•
•
Likecivilprotectionorders
Oneincidentsufficient
Eligibilitycanbeestablishedonpattern
Avoidsseekingdetailsabouteveryincident
Providesavenuetoreliefwhilereducing
re‐traumatizingvictim
– INSPaulVirtue,ExtremeHardshipandDocumentary
RequirementsInvolvingBatteredSpousesandChildren
HQ90/15‐P,HQ70/8‐P
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Definitionof“BatteredOR
Subjectedto
ExtremeCruelty”
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“BatteringorExtremeCruelty”
Includes:
• Crimes thatwouldsupportissuanceofa
protectionorderorwouldbeconsidered
domesticviolencecrimesbystatecourtsto
constitute“battery”
– NationalCouncilofJuvenileandFamilyCourt
JudgesModelDomesticViolenceCode(1994)
– ABACommissiononDomesticViolenceState‐
by‐StateProtectionOrderChart
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
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InOtherWords,CoerciveControlis:
• Atermdevelopedtohelpusunderstand
domesticabuseasmorethana“fight”or
oneincident
• Apatternofbehaviorthatseekstotake
awayavictim’slibertyorfreedomandto
stripawaytheirsenseofself
• Morethanaviolationofbodilyintegrity,but
alsotheirhumanrights
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
46
Battery or Extreme
Cruelty
Acts of
Violence
CC
Criminal
Acts
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
47
StateFamilyLawFindingsonExtremeCruelty
• Thefollowingfactorsconstituteorcontribute
tofindingsof“extremecruelty”
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Usingchildrenasatool
Preventspousefromobtainingmedicaltreatment
Accusationsofadultery
Stealingspouse’spropertyormoney
Harassment
Domination
Physicalandverbalintimidation
Alienatingparentfromchild
Hidingordestroyingpersonalsentimentalitems
Excessivepublicfightingandcursing
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
48
SeveringtheControl:
CreativeProtectionOrderRemedies
• Catchallprovisionsinprotectionorderstatuesopportunityto
offerreliefdesignedtohelp:
– Curbfutureabuse,harassment
– Interferewithabuser/perpetrator’sabilitytoexertpower
and/orcoercivecontrol
– Offervictimremedy‐reliefforpastabuse
– Helpsurvivorovercomevictimizationandbuildnewpostabuse
life
• Nexuswithvictimization
• Opportunityforcourtstocountercoercivecontrol,
immigrationrelatedabuse,andorderculturallyhelpful
remedies
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
49
GroupActivity
StoppingCoerciveControlwith
CreativeProtectionOrderRemedies
Draftaprotectionorderprovisiontoaddress
thecontrolissuesexperiencedbyRaquel
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
50
NextStepsforDocumentingand
IdentifyingCoerciveControl
• Documentandscreenforcoercion,control,
andphysicalorsexualviolence,ifany
• Exploremultiplesourcesofabuse
– DONOTsimplyask,“Haveyoubeenabused?”
– Orstopaskingquestionswhenapersonsaysno
toaquestionofwhethertheyhaveeverbeen
pushed,shoved,etc.
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
51
ConsiderationsforDocumenting
CoerciveControl
• Consider:howthesebehaviors,perceivedby
Raquel,howdotheymakeherfeel,andhow
dotheyaffecther?
• Howareherchildrendoinginschool?
• Considerthementalandphysicalhealthof
Raquel
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
52
VictimProtectionGoalsofVAWA
OnlyFulfilledWhen
• Judgesfullyunderstandandareabletorecognize
dynamicsandpatternsofabuse
• JudgestakethesamecareastheVAWAUnitand
protectionorderjudgesinmakingfindings
regardingbatteringorextremecruelty
• Beabletoidentifylegitimatebatteringorextreme
crueltyorsubstantialharm
• Adjudicatorscanseparatesuchcasesfrom
fraudulentclaimswithoutendangeringvictimswith
validcases
NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,
AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
53
TechnicalAssistanceandMaterials
• PowerPointpresentationsandmaterialsforthis
conferenceatwww.niwap.org/go/NOLA2015
• NIWAPTechnicalAssistance:
– Call(202)274‐4457
– E‐[email protected]
• WebLibrary:www.niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu
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Questions
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Evaluations
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Thankyou!
THIS PROJECT WAS SUPPORTED BY GRANT NO. 2013-TA-AX-K009 AWARDED BY THE
OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. THE
OPINIONS, FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS EXPRESSED IN
THIS PUBLICATION/PROGRAM/EXHIBITION ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR(S) AND
DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,
OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN.
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AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw
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