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After five years, asylum and safety were granted to Maria.
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On December 13, 2022 our Immigration Advocacy Program won its first gender-based asylum case at the Boston Immigration Court for a victim of domestic violence who suffered unimaginable abuse at the hands of her husband in her home country of Guatemala.
Physical and psychological violence affected this woman since her childhood. As a young girl she was beaten by her father, and by the age of 18 was married to a man that abused her constantly: raping her, cutting her, and beating her, including during her pregnancy. For six years she tried to stop the abuse. She filed police reports, fled her abusive home, changed jobs five times, and even moved away from her village where her support system was. Nothing worked. She was incessantly harassed, threatened, and abused by this man thar believed she was his property.
In fear for her and her son's safety, she fled Guatemala and sought asylum in the United States. She began working with our Immigration Advocacy Program in December of 2017, and after 5 years, expert witness declarations, a detailed heart-breaking story, photos of all of her injuries, and hundreds of pages of evidence, the Boston Immigration Court granted her asylum based on the horrific past persecution she endured.
As a refugee, she is allowed to lawfully remain in the US, apply for legal permanent residency, and never fear for her safety again.
Did you know that Sojourner House is the only domestic violence agency in Rhode Island with a program designed to assist victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking in their immigration cases?
Our immigration advocates are Department of Justice Accredited Representatives who are authorized to practice immigration law and represent the most vulnerable populations. Sojourner House does not charge any fees to asylum applicants and representation is 100% pro-bono.
This holiday season, when conversations of love and compassion are paramount, please keep in mind the needs of our organization and the struggles of our survivors. Help us continue the good work and give these victims a fighting chance by making a donation to support our Immigration program today.
- Donate $50 to help a survivor buy groceries for their family.
- Donate $100 to support Sojourner House's drop-in immigration clinic.
- Donate $500 to furnish a survivors new apartment.
- Donate $1,000 to cover the cost of a survivor’s legal representation.
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Share the Spirit 2022 was a success!
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Gifts donated by (add)ventures.
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For families living with abuse, the holidays can be a difficult time. That's why for over a decade, Sojourner House has been running our Share the Spirit program. Through the generosity of our friends and partners, we're able to keep the spirit of the season alive. This year so far, we've been able to brighten the holidays of 35 Sojourner House families (117 individuals) and lighten their burdens a bit as they work to rebuild their lives.
The incredible growth of Sojourner House's programs, especially our housing programs, comes with many challenges. Now we are serving more families than ever before, families that are recovering from the devastating effects of trauma and also from the financial insecurities and inflation left by the pandemic. Many of them are counting on us to be able to give their children a proper holiday, and that's why your continued support and participation is so appreciated.
If you be interested in the Share the Spirit program, there is still time left to participate. Email ggreenfield@sojournerri.org and our team of elves will match you with a family (or more if you wish!) and give you details about their household size, ages, and genders. Instead of asking donors to purchase gifts themselves, we have been asking that they send in gift cards or monetary donations. Our families will then be able to use those cards directly to purchase holiday gifts for their children and themselves, a process that we find more dignifying for clients. Should you want to add a gift on top of that, stocking stuffers are always appreciated.
Would you consider sponsoring a Sojourner House family this year? To help us spread some much needed holiday cheer? Let us know. We truly appreciate any support you give!
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This year for World AIDs Day, Sojourner House met with experts from NNEDV to discuss the intersections of HIV and domestic violence.
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This year for World AIDs Day, the Sojourner House staff spent the afternoon discussing the intersections of HIV and Domestic Violence with some lovely folks from the National Network to End Domestic Violence.
Together we discussed the data around this intersection, which showed that:
- Women beaten or dominated by their partners were 48% more likely to acquire HIV than women in non-violent relationships.
- In general, forced sex makes it easier for HIV to enter the body.
- Victims of domestic violence have a four times greater risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection, including HIV.
NNEDV also helped us to look at HIV in our state specifically, revealing that in 2020, there were 2,672 Rhode Islanders living with HIV.
Have you ever thought about the connection between HIV and domestic violence? About how issues of consent (forced sex, covert condom removal, the destruction of contraception, etc.) might impact a persons sexual health?
Domestic violence and sexual assault are issues intimately tied with a person’s sexual health status, and we seek to recognize those connections and address them in a non-judgmental manner. Sojourner House operates on a harm reduction model, an approach that promotes health in a way that meets people where they are. Our advocates provide guidance in all matters related to sexual health and sexuality in both individual and group settings. Our aim is to advocate for our clients, giving victims and survivors of abuse the tools and information so that they may take ownership of their bodies and sexualities.
One way we do this is by offering free confidential rapid HIV & Hepatitis C testing at our Drop-In Center, Residential Program, and in the community as requested. For a testing appointment, contact info@sojournerri.org or call 401-861-6191. We also offer free at-home HIV tests.
All of these services are offered in English as well as Spanish.
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Thank you to our wonderful 2022 partners!
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