Securing Protection for a Survivor of Gender-Based Violence

Soraya (*fictional name) is a young woman from Iran who grew up in a conservative Muslim family. She married at a young age and had her first child at 15. Soraya survived severe domestic violence at the hands of her husband. He controlled her movements and subjected her to ongoing abuse. Divorce was only possible because of the documented violence and the fact that her husband was having an affair.

After the divorce, Soraya remarried in an attempt to rebuild her life. However, as a divorced woman with young children, Soraya faced stigma, family pressure, and significant restrictions on her rights and autonomy.

Soraya’s situation deteriorated due to escalating family conflict and legal risks. Disputes linked to her first marriage and her former husband triggered severe tensions within her extended family. These conflicts culminated in a violent confrontation between family members in which shots were fired, and one person was hospitalised.

In the aftermath of the conflict, some of Soraya’s family started a legal case against her, placing her at serious risk of further harm. They were influential within their community, and willing to provide false testimony against her. Protection through the Iranian legal system was not available to her, particularly given her gender, family status, and lack of power.

At the same time, Soraya had converted from Islam to Christianity. She described her conversion as a deeply personal decision, rooted in her experience of having her rights as a woman restricted and justified through religious interpretations. In Iran, renouncing Islam carries severe social and legal consequences, including persecution by both state authorities and non-state actors. This made it impossible for her to live safely in Iran.

When Soraya arrived in Greece, ELIL provided comprehensive and essential support throughout her asylum process. She received intensive interview preparation on four separate occasions, helping her to structure her testimony, understand the procedure, and articulate her experiences consistently.

Recognizing the psychological impact of her past trauma, ELIL referred Soraya to a psychologist, allowing her to begin addressing the long-term effects of domestic violence, family conflict, and displacement.

This combination of legal, procedural, and psychosocial support was crucial in enabling Soraya to present her case effectively. As a result of this intervention, Soraya was ultimately granted refugee status, giving her access to her rights and protection.

*Name and identifying details have been changed for protection reasons.