Malu is a wife and a mother, however 4 years ago her husband left her for another women. This followed a long history of abuse and deceit in the marriage. Now Malu sees no way to care for herself or her child, feels like a failure, and has no confidence and no skills. Although she has filed cases with the police regarding some of the alleged abuse and there has also been some follow-up, her husband is ignoring the police orders and continuing to avoid responsibility.
When Malu approached the Sai Maa Women’s Empowerment Center, she felt caught in a web of deceit. Unknowingly she had married a drunkard with a history of affairs, and her husband had not changed his behavior after marriage. Malu admitted to forced sexual intimacy with her husband, including beatings and food and money being withheld if she disagreed. She had returned to her parent’s home to escape her husband, but her husband followed her, and lived with her at her parent’s home while continuing his alleged affair. Malu even discovered that her husband had lied to his employer, using lies about her health to obtain money for his mistress.
In counseling Malu openly discussed the difficulties with her husband, but found it more difficult to discuss the relationship with her brother-in-law. Before moving to her parents home, her brother-in-law had sexually assaulted her. Malu's husband had supported the brother-in-law rather than her. Her sister-in-law had also offered no support, instead telling Malu that for them to both live a ‘happy’ life they had to co-operate with their husbands. She felt trapped, ashamed and humiliated.
At the Women’s Empowerment Center Malu received the practical and emotional support she required to continue to remain strong. She received guidance concerning her rights as a woman, and in this instance also her legal rights. This counseling and education is continuing. The center staff also assisted Malu to move forward with a stalled domestic violence case against her husband and in-laws, which she has subsequently won. Her husband is now paying a monthly alimony that covers Malu’s basic needs. Further legal investigations are also being undertaken on Malu’s behalf to determine how best to move forward on the remaining pending cases relating to the domestic violence and sexual assault.
In counseling Malu openly discussed the difficulties with her husband, but found it more difficult to discuss the relationship with her brother-in-law. Before moving to her parents home, her brother-in-law had sexually assaulted her. Malu's husband had supported the brother-in-law rather than her. Her sister-in-law had also offered no support, instead telling Malu that for them to both live a ‘happy’ life they had to co-operate with their husbands. She felt trapped, ashamed and humiliated.
At the Women’s Empowerment Center Malu received the practical and emotional support she required to continue to remain strong. She received guidance concerning her rights as a woman, and in this instance also her legal rights. This counseling and education is continuing. The center staff also assisted Malu to move forward with a stalled domestic violence case against her husband and in-laws, which she has subsequently won. Her husband is now paying a monthly alimony that covers Malu’s basic needs. Further legal investigations are also being undertaken on Malu’s behalf to determine how best to move forward on the remaining pending cases relating to the domestic violence and sexual assault.
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