[SingViet]

"My Husband Is As Old As My Grandfather!"


Dao Mai is 21 years old, the youngest girl in her family. Her mom’s business in Vietnam failed and the family was suddenly plunged into debt. So Mai did what she felt a dutiful daughter should do: she went into the city and signed up with a marriage broker. Mai knew this would mean she may never see her family again, but she could not stand idly by and watch her family’s situation deteriorate.

Mai was eventually “picked” by a 66 year old Taiwanese man who came to Vietnam, like thousands others before him, to find a bride. Of the thousands of dollars that exchanged hands between the man and the Vietnamese broker, Mai’s family only got US$133. The family used up the money, and then some, to travel to the city for the marriage ceremony. But Mai hoped to be able to work once in Taiwan and send money home to help her parents and siblings.

Mai arrived in Taiwan in June 2004. Immediately after her arrival, she was locked up in the bedroom. Her husband then kept her naked, forbidding her from wearing any clothes during her entire incarceration. As he takes his regular dose of Viagra, he would force himself upon her, starving her until she gives in to his demands. Sometimes he would beat her when she resists his advances. On the 9th and 10th days of captivity, Mai’s husband beat her so constantly and so severely that she escaped.

The policeman who found Mai took her to a domestic violence shelter, where she is currently residing. Hospital records showed that she had numerous bruises and that she had contracted a sexually transmitted disease. However, the police claimed they do not have enough evidence to prosecute her husband. Since her husband refuses to divorce her, her case languished for months.

Eventually, Mai heard about Reverend Hung through another victim at the shelter and contacted him for help. Our office took her to the Legal Aid Foundation and secured her a pro bono lawyer. Her case is still on hold.

* The victim’s name has been changed to protect her identity