Carmen from Guatelmala

Carmen grew up in Guatemala and began dating Hector when she was 16. When she tried to break up with him, he threatened that he would kill himself, so she stayed in the relationship and they married. When Carmen became pregnant a year later, Hector decided to move to Austin in search of better economic opportunities. Carmen was afraid to make the journey, but she had always dreamed of having a family and she didn’t want to separate from her child’s father, so she agreed to go.

While in Austin, Carmen endured physical, psychological, economic, and sexual abuse from Hector, even while she was pregnant with their second child. Hector worked two jobs and learned English through his work, but he prevented Carmen from leaving the house, working, maintaining friendships, or learning English. Carmen thought about leaving Hector, but she was afraid of raising her children on her own and she wanted her children to have a relationship with their father. On one occasion of abuse, Carmen tried to call the police, but Hector prevented her from doing so and hid with their children for a week. After this incident, Carmen was afraid of reaching out for help, for fear that she would lose contact with her children.

One day a neighbor heard yelling in Carmen’s apartment and called the police. The police arrived and, since Hector spoke English, he convinced the police that the situation was under control.  After the police left he assaulted Carmen. The next day, Carmen decided that she had to leave Hector, and, while Hector was at work, she called the police and explained the situation to a translator. The police helped Carmen find shelter at Safeplace, and Carmen gave the police information about Hector’s schedule; this information helped them arrest Hector that evening when he came home from work. Carmen obtained a protective order and testified during Hector’s trial.