Edmonton mother who fled violent husband no longer fears deportation

An Edmonton mother who says she fled her violent husband no longer fears losing her children or being deported, after Albertans rallied around her.

After she left her husband, she had no means of supporting herself. But the Alberta government has agreed to support her basic needs while a local agency has provided housing furnished by donations from Edmontonians, who also supplied food and clothing.

"He used to tell me no one's going to help you; no one cares about you," said the 24-year-old woman who CBC has agreed not to name out of concern for her safety.

"But the opposite has happened," she said. "People were tremendously helpful towards me and they showed me a sense of community and belonging."

The woman, who CBC is calling "Aisha", was brought to Canada by her much older husband six years ago. Over much of that time, she said she endured physical and sexual abuse.

Aisha, who is not Canadian, said her husband had told her if she left him he would withdraw his sponsorship the children would be apprehended and she would be deported.

Aisha finally left the home with the children in June and soon after her husband withdrew his sponsorship leaving her without anyway of supporting herself.

Alberta will support basic needs

But recently the Alberta Ministry of Human Services said it will support the family's basic needs while Aisha applies to stay in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

"I am pleased that our government has been able to support this family in need, and that the community has also rallied around this individual and her children," Minister Irfan Sabir said in a statement.

"Hers is a unique circumstance and it is important that she is supported as the family flees from violence," he said.

Habiba Abdulle, a family advocate with the Alberta Somali Community Centre, is assisting Aisha and her children. She said provincial support includes food and healthcare coverage, while another local agency, The Family Centre, is providing housing.

And, Aisha's home is being filled, thanks to the generosity of Edmontonians.

"I cried with happy tears," said Aisha, recalling all the people who came to visit last weekend with groceries, furniture, clothing, kitchen items and toys.

"I want to say really, really thank you," said Aisha, expressing gratitude to all who had helped her including government and family advocates.

But while Abdulle called the response from Edmontonians and the province "amazing," she said the federal government needs to thoroughly investigate "what's behind it" when a husband seeks to withdraw sponsorship.

"They need to remember that they're giving abusive husbands tremendous power to basically enslave women," said Abdulle.

The Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship did not respond to CBC's request for comment.

Aisha's husband denies all allegations which are outlined in the application for a restraining order extended last week, but have not been proven in court.

Meanwhile, Aisha is still getting used to a life where no one tells her what to wear or watch on TV.

"I feel like I'm dreaming," she said, who looks forward to working once she gets a work permit. "I don't believe I have this freedom."

On her first independent trip to the grocery store she fell into the old habit of asking those with her what she should buy.

Then it sank in that it was all up to her. Aisha filled her cart with previously forbidden items such as Dove body wash and lemon cake, which she had once been expected to make.

"The ready-made was better because I didn't have to sweat," said Aisha, who used the time to play with her kids instead.

She's also enjoying making new friends after years of isolation and learning more about herself too.

"I'm very strong and I'm very optimistic," Aisha said. "I can do this and I survived — I feel like I'm a survivor."

She hopes her story inspires women who feel trapped in abusive relationships to leave, "whatever race or culture or ethnicity you are.

"Your life will change drastically, freedom feels wonderful and your children will be safe," Aisha said. "There's no need for you to stay in an abusive relationship."

andrea.huncar@cbc.ca

@andreahuncar