Now politicians want to help victims of domestic violence: if Alina leaves her tormentor, she is threatened with deportation

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Alina is beaten by her husband Thomas. Regular and often bloody. But she cannot divorce him, because if Alina and her children leave Thomas, they are threatened with deportation. Alina is a foreigner. Her residence permit depends on her Swiss husband.

In August, The Observer wrote up the story of Alina, who actually has a different name. Women’s organizations have long called for better protection of foreigners from their violent husbands. Pia Allemann from the BIF women’s counseling center often counsels foreign women who are abused at home: “When we explain the legal situation to those affected and they learn that they can be deported if they divorce their abusive husband, many turn to the perpetrator.”

Expand the hardship rule

That should change now. In an initiative that will come to parliament during the winter session, the State Political Committee of the National Council is demanding that immigration law be changed. Anyone affected by domestic violence should not fear deportation. There is already a harshness rule intended to protect victims from deportation. However, the initiators criticize that this is handled very restrictively and that not everyone is protected.

At the end of November, the Federal Council gave the green light. He also wants to expand the hardship scheme.

The law also aims to protect children

Nowadays, only those married to a Swiss national or a person with a C permit are entitled to a legal residence permit. The right should now apply to all categories of residence if the separation is the result of domestic violence.

Furthermore, the term ‘marital violence’ should be replaced by ‘domestic violence’. The new law is intended to protect not only women and husbands, but also their children. People who have a registered partnership or cohabitation must also be protected against deportation.

Another change is that the documentation of counseling centers and women’s shelters is given greater weight. The migration services that make a decision must now process their reports.

Brava needs three years

The non-profit organization Brava, which campaigns for women affected by violence, is very pleased that the Federal Council supports the parliamentary initiative. Sim Eggler, responsible for the political work, disagrees on only one point.

Brava demands that those affected by violence be given three years to integrate after divorce. For example, if those affected receive social assistance shortly after the divorce, this should not lead to their residence permit being withdrawn. “The violent situation can make integration difficult,” says Eggler. The Federal Council has a different opinion. He states that integration criteria such as language or economic independence should apply to everyone who wants to live in Switzerland.

Parliament has the final say. During the upcoming winter session, the National Council will decide whether and in what form it will support the extension of the hardship rule.

Source:Blick