The Violence Against Women Act (V.A.W.A.)

Originally enacted in 1994 under the Crime Bill and recently reauthorized in 2006 under the Victims of:

• Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (VTVPA), protects immigrant survivors of abuse.

This law allows immigrant survivors to regain control of their immigration status and legal identity. Although most cases involve women and children, this law also protects adult men.

The VAWA program empowers clients by allowing them to take an active role in preparing their cases and telling their stories.

For over thirty years, ACCESS has been one of the leading community-based providers of immigration and citizenship services in the San Diego Region.

ACCESS Immigration Services VAWA Program assists abused immigrant women obtain legal status under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

Abused immigrant women are subject to exacerbated control and violence because their abusive U.S. citizen or resident spouse is the gatekeeper to his immigrant spouse’s legal status and identity.

ACCESS currently provides direct representation to and advocates for over 300 immigrant victims of abuse a year throughout the San Diego region.

This special program began in 1997 with the realization that there was a lack of resources, both social and legal services, in San Diego County for this vulnerable population of immigrant victims.

This program survived by creating valuable and long lasting partnerships amongst:

• Domestic violence

• Social service

• Government agencies as well as academic institutions.

This program has a diverse funding base including federal funds from the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women, local foundations, and corporate sponsors.

Our team consists of two immigration attorneys specializing in VAWA cases and four college, law, or graduate student interns each semester from San Diego area schools.