Immigration psychologists assess victims of domestic violence. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which protects both men and women. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, or psychological.
One of the primary roles of the immigration psychologist is to assess for psychological abuse. This is a form of abuse in which one person in a relationship uses tactics such as manipulation, control, humiliation, threats and intimidation to harm the other person’s mental and emotional well-being. VAWA includes provisions that address psychological abuse and recognizes it as a form of domestic violence.
The psychological or emotional abuse purports to control and dominate the other person and it can have serious and long-lasting effects on a person’s mental health. Psychological or emotional abuse can be just as harmful as physical abuse, resulting in mental health complications such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety.
What is extreme cruelty?
In a VAWA case, extreme cruelty can include physical abuse, sexual abuse, or psychological abuse such as manipulation, control, humiliation, threats and intimidation.
The immigration psychologist documents all abusive experiences, their frequency, their severity and their consequences on the victim. Based on that information, it is determined whether the domestic abuse entails extreme cruelty.
How do immigration psychologists and immigration attorneys work together in extreme cruelty VAWA case ?
A psychological evaluation for extreme cruelty VAWA is done at the recommendation of the immigration attorney.
Immigration psychologists and Immigration Attorneys have a working relationship that must protect the independence of opinion and the objectivity of each professional. Immigration psychologists must understand rules of admissibility to determine whether the testing and procedures used are valid and reliable enough to stand the scrutiny of the court and other experts. Immigration psychologists must understand how to provide testimony as required by the case.
How can I contact an immigration psychologist for an extreme cruelty VAWA case?
Immigration Psychology, Inc. has Florida immigration psychologists, North Carolina immigration psychologists, South Carolina immigration psychologists, and experts in other states.
Contact us at:
Info@ImmigrationPsychology.com
877-297-5952
305-456-4147
407-690-7129