VAWA, also known as Violence Against Women Act, is a U.S. federal law that was designed to investigate, prosecute and ultimately deter violent crimes against women, however, it's coverage also extends to male victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Non-permanent residents living illegally in the U.S. who are VAWA victims as a result of domestic violence perpetrated by their U.S.citizen or legal permanent resident spouse may become eligible for "cancellation of removal" (e.g. reversal of deportation) and thereby eligible for permanent residency when the results of a psychological evaluation demonstrate that abuse has occurred on an ongoing basis.