What Counts as “Violence” Under VAWA? It’s More Than Physical Abuse

Geofrey M. Law
Jan 28
2 min read

Many people believe that violence under the U.S. Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) only means being hit or physically injured. That belief stops many survivors from seeking help — even when the law was designed to protect them.

If you are experiencing abuse from a U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse, parent, or adult child, you may qualify for VAWA even if no one has ever laid a hand on you.

VAWA Recognizes Different Forms of Abuse

Under U.S. immigration law, violence includes a pattern of controlling, threatening, or degrading behavior that harms your safety, freedom, or dignity.

1. Physical Abuse

This includes:

Hitting, slapping, punching, kicking
Choking or pushing
Throwing objects at you
Blocking you from leaving a room
Destroying property to intimidate you

You do not need police reports or hospital records to qualify.

2. Emotional and Psychological Abuse

This is one of the most common forms of VAWA abuse and is often misunderstood.

Examples include:

Constant insults, humiliation, or name-calling
Threats to deport you or cancel your immigration papers
Isolating you from friends, family, or your community
Gaslighting (“you’re crazy,” “you imagined it”)
Controlling what you wear, say, or who you talk to

If the abuse made you afraid, anxious, depressed, or trapped, it matters under VAWA.

3. Economic (Financial) Abuse

VAWA recognizes that controlling money is a powerful form of violence.

This can include:

Refusing to let you work
Taking your earnings
Withholding money for food, rent, or medical care
Using money to control or punish you
Forcing you to depend completely on the abuser

4. Immigration-Related Abuse

This is especially important for immigrants.

Examples:

Threatening to call immigration
Telling you that you will be deported if you leave
Refusing to file or withdrawing immigration petitions as punishment
Lying about your legal status to scare you

Using immigration status as a weapon is abuse under VAWA.

5. Sexual Abuse and Coercion

This includes:

Forced sex or unwanted sexual acts
Sex obtained through threats, pressure, or fear
Refusing to respect consent
Using sex as a condition for financial support or immigration help

Marriage does not remove your right to consent.

What VAWA Does Not Require

Many clients are surprised to learn that:

You do not need to stay married
You do not need police reports
You do not need visible injuries
You do not need your abuser’s permission or involvement

A Message to Survivors

If you’ve ever thought:

“It wasn’t bad enough”
“Others had it worse”
“I should just endure it”

Know this: VAWA exists because immigration abuse is real and harmful. Your experience is valid, and the law was written with people like you in mind.

If you are unsure whether what you experienced counts, talk to a qualified immigration lawyer privately. You do not have to decide alone. Call Us Today for Immigration Advice You Can Trust.