As a battered spouse, child or parent, you may be able to file an immigrant visa petition under U.S. immigration law , as amended by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

The law and the protection it provides applies equally to women and men.

VAWA allows certain spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens and certain spouses and children of permanent residents to file a petition for themselves, without the abuser's knowledge.  This allows victims to seek both safety and independence from their abuser, who is not notified about the filing.