Without the get, the woman cannot remarry or date in the Orthodox community. In New York State Court proceedings that will determine alimony, child support, and the custody of the couple's two children, the woman wept and alleged that her husband punched her in the stomach while she was pregnant and refused to give her and the couple's children adequate food.
The judge overseeing the proceedings also had trouble procuring a get when her own Orthodox marriage ended, and has been encouraging the husband to satisfy his wife's request.