This mother of three is seeking help in her marriage due to adultery and spousal abuse. Surprisingly, the abuse comes from a policeman who would have pledged to serve and uphold the law.

Dangerous sexually transmitted infections

This was what she had to say: "Dear Mr. Bishop, I am married to a policeman and we lived together at my mom's house. I would like a divorce on the grounds of adultery, as he has been involved with younger women who call my phone and harass me. He has opened my life to numerous doctors' visits for treatment for dangerous sexually transmitted infections. If I don't give him sex, he takes it. I have three kids, two for him. He dislikes my son. I need a divorce. I am tired of this kind of life. I deserve better. It is clear he doesn't love me so I have to love myself."

Vacate the premises

First let me say that it is unfortunate that you are being abused by anyone, let alone your husband who is a cop. You cer-tainly have a right to protect yourself from the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. It is also unfortunate that the abuse is being done in your mother's house where I believe you would have invited him to live with you. Your husband not being the owner of that house, you can ask him to leave or give him a notice to vacate the premises and if he does not, you take him to court.

Irretrievably broken down

With respect to the divorce, the law is clear. You must be married for two years and be separated for one year, which could be part of the two years. You don't need to worry about the ground of adultery. What the law requires is that the marriage be irretrievably broken down.

If you are physically abused by your husband, you may take steps under the Domestic Violence Act or the Matrimonial Causes Act to ask for orders and/or injunctions to keep him away from the house.

I would also suggest that since your husband is a police officer, that you take steps to speak to his superintendent, the Com-missioner of Police or a chaplain attached to his division and ask for their intervention.

You may also consider going to your pastor for counselling.

Should you have concerns about maintenance, you can take him to court to resolve those issues for him to maintain all three children, if they are less than 18 years old.

I agree with you that you deserve better. Get up, stand up for your rights.

FILING IN JAMAICA FOR MY HUSBAND

Finally, a concern about immi-gration matters. 'KJ' from Penn-sylvania writes:

"First let me start off by saying you have a great column in the STAR and I commend you on the good work. I have a two-part question. First, I am an American citizen living in the United States and married to a Jamaican citizen who lives in Jamaica. I was told filing over here (USA) right now would take some years to go through because of the backup of files and other procedures (such as how our country is being run right now) so I am wondering if I file for him over there (Jamaica) would there be a difference in time and money. I have been married for two years and I have been coming back and forth to visit. He is a 36-year-old higgler. I would really appreciate your legal advice".

In response let me say that I am not aware that it is best or even possible to stay here in Jamaica and file for any one from Jamaica to go to the United States. What applies are the laws of the United States and as such it might be better to retain a lawyer who has good knowledge of the United States Immigration law. Most of those lawyers must be right there in the United States and so I recommend that you seek guidance from them.

Keith N. Bishop is an Attorney-at-Law and partner in the firm of Bishop & Fullerton. He may be contacted by email at knbishop@gmail.com or by text at 779-2871.