Finding Independence

My client came to me when her husband, who was 20 years older than her, had not asked her to come back home after an argument they had.  She had married him after a broken marriage in Pakistan.  She had health issues and he promised to take care of her. Little did she know he had a hidden motive in marrying a younger woman. He too had health issues, and wanted someone who would take care of him. Her aspirations of working or studying would be soon forgotten.

Her husband would ridicule her, prevent her from going to school, working and learning to drive. He would insult her in front of his adult children. His children also began to lose respect for her. He was financially controlling and after all the name calling, nagging, abuse, put downs, and lack of kindness, my client had enough.  She picked up the courage and asked for a divorce.  He did not try to stop her. 

She came to us in a total state of dejection. Thanks to BINGO who funds the VAW program, we were able to get her a lawyer, subsidized housing, ODSP and now through the lawyer she has had a chance to have her divorce payment increased which will take care of her retirement years.