Susan is a Turkish woman who was sold by her father to a man twenty years older than her. Her Turkish husband was a Permanent Resident in the United States, and he brought Susan here illegally. He frequently abused her. He kept her in their home like a hostage by telling her that her visa was expired and she would get into trouble if she ventured out. She did not tell her family about the abuse because she knew they depended upon the money her husband sent them. When Susan became pregnant, her husband’s abuse was so terrible that she suffered a miscarriage. Even as she lay in the hospital, she was too scared to tell anyone about the beatings. The abuse was finally discovered by a friend of Susan’s. As they were dressing for an event, the friend saw bruises all over Susan’s body and confronted her about it. When Susan’s husband was arrested for an unrelated crime, her friend took advantage of the opportunity to help Susan escape. Susan ended her marriage through an Islamic divorce. Susan spent time in the shop her friend worked in, and there she met an American man who was loving and kind to her. Throughout their courtship, he was the devoted gentleman she had always hoped to meet. However, soon after they were married, her second husband became emotionally, verbally, and economically abusive. Her husband, though never physically violent, would shout and throw things with the slightest provocation. Susan learned from her husband’s family that he had a long history of anger management issues. Her second husband never filed her immigration paperwork, and he forced her to work and give her earnings directly to him. He refused to give her any money, even for necessities; she had to grovel for something as basic as a bra. After a few years of marriage, Susan’s earnings had helped to pay off all of her husband’s car, credit card, and other debt. Once all of his debts were satisfied, he ordered her out of the house. Susan sought help from several organizations. Eventually, she was referred to WAW, which has the experience, sensitivity and cultural understanding to empower a Muslim woman who was sold as a young bride, and who has suffered so much abuse. Within a few days of meeting Susan, we arranged for a pro bono attorney to help get her immigration documents in order, referred her to a psychotherapist, and accompanied her to the hospital to apply for an insurance card that only requires a small co-payment for prescriptions and appointments. WAW will continue to help Susan as she needs us.
