The suffering of “not dare to divorce” of Vietnamese brides in Singapore

Many Vietnamese brides who marry Singaporean husbands often remain silent when suffering from domestic violence. They do not dare to leave their husbands because their husbands threaten to cancel their long-term relative visas, take them home and separate them from their children if they get divorced.

Get married through the brokerage center Many foreign brides are “invisible people”. After many years of suffering from an abusive husband, not allowed to leave the house and often starved, Lyly (character has been renamed) – the 30-year-old Vietnamese bride has decided to leave her bad husband. Lyly said her ex-husband, a driver about 60 years old, often beat her when he was angry, drunk or losing money. “I don’t know where the market is, where the bus station is. I have no money and no friends. I ask him for money to spend in the house, but he always asks” What do you need money for? For another guy? “, She shared about her difficulties. Once, he didn’t buy anything for her and their son for a week. Lyly said she took her son away at least 3 times but returned because her husband promised to change. However, Lily continued to suffer violence. He even starved her mother and daughter. Desperate, Lyly turned to the police. Thanks to her shelter, she was referred to lawyer June Lim, who represented her to carry out free divorce proceedings. Lyly has sole custody of his son – who is a Singaporean, 6 years old this year. After the divorce, Lyly’s ex-husband canceled her long-term relative visit visa. However, she was fortunate enough to be sponsored by a friend to be able to stay. “If no one helps, I don’t know what to do,” she said. Not only Lyly, many foreign women married to Singapore face a wide range of issues from domestic violence to poverty and uncertain futures in Singapore. These women seem “invisible and have no voice” because of their immigration status, limited rights, lack of protection by law and difficult access to social welfare. Many people lack understanding of the rights and benefits they enjoy, feel helpless in need of help because they do not know where to go for help. This is partly due to their limited social network in Singapore. They are often financially dependent on their husbands. Some people suffer from marriage violence or conflict for fear of leaving their children if their husbands cancel their long-term relative’s visas upon divorce. Member of a matchmaking company in Singapore. Photo: The Straits Times The government gave “fulcrum” A spokesman for the Lawyers Association Pro Bono said that it is very important that the Singapore Government publicizes its stance on the immigration status of foreigners after divorce. This is a “thoughtful and tolerant” approach by the government of this country, she said. In addition, a spokesman for the Ministry of the Interior (MHA) told The Straits Times that widows, spouses or divorced Singapore citizens have the right to custody of children under the age of 21. They are allowed to live in Singapore on a long-term visitor visa until the child reaches 21 years of age. Although the former Singaporean spouse cancels the visa extension, they can still be sponsored by another Singapore citizen or permanent resident over the age of 21. At the age of 21, children can sponsor foreign parents to stay. Since December 2018, the Pro Bono Lawyers Association and Ms. June Lim – CEO of Eden Law Firm – have started the LEAF Project (Empowerment and Legal Support for Foreign Spouses). . The LEAF project is now part of a Family Justice Assistance program that helps noncitizens or Singapore permanent residents with marriage matters. The project aims to provide free assistance to a spouse who is a foreigner who meets a number of conditions, for example with a per capita monthly income of S $ 950 or less. They decided to start this pilot scheme because foreign spouses with children in Singapore are a “particularly vulnerable” group. They often depend on their partner for all aspects of their life. They may not have anyone to help them in the face of home violence or a broken marriage. In many cases, they also do not have any other friends or relatives in Singapore, they just have to look to charities like LEAF to stay. To avoid unfortunate things from happening, the Singapore Department of Family and Social Development has introduced a marriage support program for couples of different nationalities to help them have a strong marriage foundation. The program offers classes that teach English or Mandarin for the brides, give instructions on how to communicate, deal with conflicts in a multicultural setting, as well as tips on living in Singapore. Source: Straits Times, Sixth Tone