‘Hips Don't Lie’: Exploring how the image of Latina femininity, hyper-sexuality and identity in the mainstream media affects the lives of Latin American women in London
While studying Human, Social, and Political Science at the University of Cambridge, I proposed the following research question for my third-year dissertation:
How do Latin American women in London navigate experiences of racialised femininity and hypersexuality based on mainstream media and community expectations?
Through interviews, I investigated how Latin American women view media representations and their interpretations of 'hypersexualisation' - what it means to them, whether they have experienced it, and whether it is tied to media representation of Latin American women.
I found six key findings, which were the following:
The Power of Visual Imagery
When asked about representation in media they consumed, women primarily discussed U.S. visual imagery and how these shaped dominant ideas of Latin American women. Latin American celebrities with an international presence were also referenced. Women acknowledged the importance of dominant representations while critiquing how they remain exclusionary and reinforce stereotypes.
Latin American women named significant representatives were Jennifer Lopez, KAROL G, Anitta, Shakira, Sofia Vergara, and Anya-Taylor Joy. There were mixed attitudes towards these women; for instance, while women celebrated their achievements, there was criticism that they had more Eurocentric features. Women of African, Asian, and Indigenous descent felt excluded, feeling that visual imagery still has a long way to go. Brazilian women also felt excluded as more focus was on representing Spanish speakers.
British Mainstream Media
Participants noted a lack of representation in British mainstream media, which may have also impacted how non-Latin Americans in London perceive Latin American women. In the absence of media representation, women explored depictions of Latin American identity and femininity in London through community spaces and alternative media. These included the Colombian Consulate, which has a very active role in the celebration of Colombian heritage, and 'Popola', the queer Latinx and Afro-Caribbean night club. One participant identified 'My Uncle Is Not Pablo Escobar', a play performed at the Brixton House, as the first time they felt represented as British-Latinx.
The internet emerged as an important source for finding representation. Some used TikTok to locate other Latin Americans in London. The internet also provided access to streaming services, where women could access Latin American visual media or listen to Latin American artists.
The Latin American Body in Constructing Identity
All participants discussed how there was a stereotypical imagination of what Latin American bodies should look like from non-Latin Americans - petite, slim, curvy, and tanned, but light skin. Most notably, there was excessive focus placed on the idea of having large buttocks - the absence and presence of large buttocks were then used by non-Latin Americans to determine whether a woman 'looks' Latin American or not.
The Latin American body was also frequently discussed regarding movement - women were expected to be able to dance. Furthermore, one woman discussed how she felt that non-Latin American men draw a correlation between the ability to dance and the ability to perform well during sex.
Women shared how they felt that their bodies were more openly commented on, suggesting a sense of entitlement to Latin American bodies - women were either told their body 'gave away' that they were Latin American, that their body did not 'look' Latin American or asked invasive questions about cosmetic surgery.
Perceptions from the British General Population
Women felt that heterosexual cisgender men, irrespective of ethnic background, were the primary perpetrators of attributing hypersexuality to Latin American women. The ‘Latin American’ identity was seen as a 'fetish' or 'type' to be consumed for sexual gratification - for instance, when a woman's Latin American identity is revealed, she becomes seen as 'more' attractive. However, this sentiment was not just limited to men, with one woman sharing how British populations, and 'Westerners' more broadly, perceive Latin American women as a 'sexual' group, which directly opposed how she perceived herself.
The perception of Latin American women was heterogeneous - some women shared generally favourable treatment of their Latin American identity. In contrast, others experienced derogatory comments related to migration status or dating men for citizenship, even if they were born in London.
Is there a pressure to conform?
Most women felt a degree of pressure to conform to the stereotype of Latin American women, but this did not mean they acted on it. The pressure was predominantly rooted in the expectations non-Latin Americans placed on them based on U.S. media representation. Women who grew up in Latin America discussed being unaware of these stereotypes before migration, which came as a cultural shock. Some women have internally questioned whether they are Latin American enough' as they fall outside of the imagined appearance and behaviour of what Latin American women should look like - this included wearing clothes women were not entirely comfortable in or behaving more friendly than they usually would.
There was a duality in conformity to stereotypes—for some women, conformity was a way to access new opportunities. For instance, one woman shared how she will send headshots for acting roles that are 'sexier' as she is aware that directors are looking for this in Latin American actresses. Another woman shared how they may lean into the assumption that they can dance within dating as they can benefit from it.
However, the pressure to conform has dangerous impacts - women who were born in London or migrated at a young age were most impacted by pressure to conform, which led them to behave in ways they now consider age-inappropriate. Most notably, women felt they needed to act 'sexually' from a young age as, despite being teenagers, Latin American women born and raised in London thought they 'had to' project a sexy image as the imagination of the hyper-sexualised Latin American women was ever-present in their lives growing up.
Skin Tone and Ethnicity
Not all women experienced hyper-sexualisation the same - instead, women felt that skin tone and their physical appearance impacted the intensity of how they were sexualised. Women of African descent discuss a double sexualisation - one participant shared that they were perceived as 'exotic' because they were Colombian. Then, their Blackness elevates this sexualisation to a higher degree as they are objectified through exoticised curiosity. In a similar dynamic, women of Asian descent discuss a similar phenomenon - one woman discussed how she was initially sexualised through the lens of Asian women as 'submissive' or a 'sexual geisha'; however, once revealing her Brazilian identity, the way she was sexualised shifted to match stereotypes of Latin American women. Women of Indigenous descent experienced a dichotomy - one woman discussed how her skin tone and ethnicity were sexualised, which led to her being allocated to sexual acting roles. However, there was also an expectation to be 'whiter'. This led her to avoid tanning and having her initial acting headshots over-exposed.
Latin American women who identified as 'white-passing' or 'European-presenting' discussed the levels of privilege they experience in being able to 'hide' their identity. For instance, if women were in situations where Latin American women were being openly sexualised, they could decide not to disclose their identity. However, the appearance of light skin and dark features still led to sexualisation as one woman described her appearance in terms of and discussed that this was 'exciting' for non-Latin American men.
Concluding thoughts
The London Latin American community are institutionally invisible, yet Latin American women's bodies are highly visible because of their racialised sexuality. I end by foregrounding the need for British Latin American representation. Without official statistics, we cannot develop accurate research, as we are unaware of the demographics of Latin American communities. The London Latin American community has been present for decades. Further research is requisite to understand London Latin American women's voices and their myriad experiences.
Join our Young Women’s Advisory Board 2025!
Would you like to unlock your full potential to champion and lead action to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG)?
At LAWRS, we are looking for 10 enthusiastic Latin American Young Women aged 18 to 24, based in London, to join our Young Women’s Advisory Board for one year 🥳
What’s it about? 🤔
The Young Women’s Advisory Board is an initiative by the Latin American Women’s Rights Service (LAWRS) and its project for girls and young women: Sin Fronteras. The programme seeks to train Latin American Young Women for collective action at the intersection of migration, age, gender, amongst other issues.
This programme provides you with theoretical and practical skills in feminist leadership and advocacy that you will be able to apply in your life, your career, and with your community.
The program will be held in English and Spanish and meetings will be in-person in London.
Policy, sorority and leadership!
Who’s it for? 🤷🏽♀️
Latin American Young Women aged 18 to 24*, based in London, are invited to participate in the Young Women’s Advisory Board and will receive a stipend to support their engagement in the programme (at London Living Wage levels).
* This also includes first and second generation young women with Latin American ethnicity and European/UK nationality.
* You must be at most 24 years old by the time of submitting the application form.
How? 👩🏽💻
The one year programme (May 2025 - March 2026) consists of 12 Leadership and Advocacy training sessions and group meetings about tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) as Latin American young migrant women advocates, and 3 organisational planned activities (LAWRS’ Annual General Meeting (AGM), LAWRS’ International Women’s Day event (IWD), and the International Women’s Day Million Women Rise March).
Programme Timeline 🗓️
Programme Starts: Saturday 10th May 2025!
Leadership and Advocacy training sessions and group meetings:
All of these will take place on Saturdays from 11am - 3 pm, in-person in London.
- 10th of May 2025
- 24th of May 2025
- 7th of June 2025
- 21st of June 2025
- 5th of July 2025
- 19th of July 2025
- 2nd of August 2025
- 13th of September 2025
- 27th of September 2025
- 25th of October 2025
- 22nd of November 2025
- 6th of December 2025
Organisational planned activities:
- 8th of November 2025: LAWRS's Annual General Meeting (AGM).
- 28th of February 2026: LAWRS's International Women's Day Event (IWD).
- 7th of March 2026: International Women's Day: Million Women Rise March
Program Ends: Saturday 7th March 2026.
* Throughout the year we expect to have participative activities where the YWAB can amplify their network and uptake action. These are highly recommended activities, however they are not compulsory and will not be financially compensated.
Benefits 🤩
With the Young Women’s Advisory Board you can: gain skills, meet new people, and influence LAWRS’ policy work bringing young migrant women’s voices to the centre of the organisation and the public debate.
Get involved in the work that we do, get paid for your time, gain valuable experience to include in your CV, get trained in leadership and activism, and be invited to LAWRS events and beyond!
This is your chance to create a more equal world for girls and young women, participate in a collective social change actions programme to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG), and shape LAWRS’ policy work.
Apply Now! 🙋🏽♀️
Apply online using our Application Form: ➡️ ➡️ https://forms.gle/PXK37PotgJyS1sr29 ⬅️ ⬅️
Applications open until Friday 25th April 2025.
Please note that completion of the application form does not guarantee a place in the programme.
If your application is accepted, you will be invited to an interview. The interviews (30 minutes approximately) are going to be conducted online, on the 28th April and 1st May at some point between 10am and 4pm.
If selected, you are expected to attend the opening session on Saturday 10th May 2025.
Contact 🤳🏼
Melissa, the project coordinator, would be happy to talk to you if you have any questions or need support with your application. You can contact her at: sinfronteras@lawrs.org.uk / 07802 645001.
We would be grateful if you could also share this information with your network as we want to ensure many young women know about this opportunity, especially those with a passion to make a difference in the lives of women and girls.
Thank you for taking an interest, we can’t wait to hear from you! 🥰
Voices of Young Latinas: Peer Research into Sexual Harassment at London Universities
The Young Women’s Advisory Board (YWAB) at LAWRS is launching its latest work: ‘Voices of Young Latinas: Peer Research into Sexual Harassment at London Universities.’
Who We Are
The YWAB is a group of young Latin American women aged 18-25 dedicated to addressing all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG). We approach this work from our unique lived experiences and intersecting identities as migrants, Latin Americans, and young women. By gathering in a safe, collaborative space, we focus on building leadership and advocacy skills, engaging in policy discussions, and increasing our abilities to influence decision-making spaces to benefit young women in our community.
Our Programme and the design of a Peer Research Report
Our YWAB programme ran from April 2024 to March 2025, with training sessions focusing on peer research, leadership and advocacy, VAWG, sexual harassment, and artivism. These sessions have been guided by LAWRS, Partnership for Young London, and the artist Ximena Ruiz del Río.
Through discussing shared experiences, we discovered a gap in research concerning how Latin American women’s intersecting identities affect their experiences with sexual harassment in higher education. The impact of this harassment deeply affects us as we navigate university spaces. To amplify our advocacy efforts, we decided to create a peer research report that gives voice to these experiences.
We held a focus group to design our research question. All of the participants within our group were either starting, in the process of, or had finished their university degree. We discovered that most of us had faced some form of sexual harassment tied to our identities as Latin American women. These abuses were often unseen, overlooked,or normalised yet they had a profound personal impact in our lives. Our research explored how stereotypes, accents, migration, racism, xenophobia, and sexism intersect and shape these experiences.
We carried out 13 semi-structured interviews and designed and distributed a questionnaire, receiving 32 survey responses. Using thematic analysis, we collaboratively wrote this peer research report, which includes key findings and policy recommendations.
Key Findings
Our research revealed five key findings:
- Sexual harassment has a significant negative impact on Latin American women across multiple areas of life.
- University procedures for reporting sexual harassment are broken, making them an inaccessible and time-consuming process which deters reporting.
- Multiple stigmatisation of being a migrant, Latin American, and a woman dissuades women from reporting as it positions them as more vulnerable.
- Stereotypes surrounding Latin American women make them more vulnerable to sexual harassment as they’re perceived as more ‘sexually available’.
- The frequency of sexual harassment paired with the stereotyping of Latin Americans in the U.K. results in these behaviours and acts being perceived as the ‘norm’.
These findings provide valuable insights into the realities faced by young Latin American women and shed light on the critical issues affecting their lives.
For a more detailed understanding of our research, including a full description of the key findings and policy recommendations, please read our full report here.
Thank you for supporting the voices of young Latinas.
Our Artivism: A Creative Response to Tackle VAWG
As part of our peer research process, we also created a social media campaign to raise awareness of sexual harassment and advocate for young migrant women's rights. Our campaign reflects our commitment to tackling all forms of VAWG in British society.
Check out the entire campaign, images, and messages on our Instagram page: Sin Fronteras - LAWRS Instagram.
Get Involved
If you have any questions or want to participate in our free activities for young Latin American women, we would love to hear from you! Sign up through our Google form, or contact us via WhatsApp at 07802 645001 or by email at sinfronteras@lawrs.org.uk.
Our activities are open to Latin American girls and young women between 14 and 25 years old living in the UK, including first and second-generation women with Latin American ethnicity and European/UK nationality.
Finding Strength Together: Voices from Our Peer Support Sessions
For Latin American women in the UK, navigating the isolating and often hidden realities of domestic abuse is compounded by the challenges of being a migrant. Every year LAWRS organizes peer support sessions tailored to meet the needs of our community. Our aim is to create a safe space where these women can share their voices, reclaim their power, and take steps toward healing.
Addressing Unique Challenges
The systemic barriers and the hostile environment in the UK make an already difficult situation even harder, putting fundamental human rights at risk. Perpetrators also often use the hostile environment to keep victims/survivors trapped. LAWRS recognizes that migrant victims/survivors are not vulnerable by nature but are instead made vulnerable by the structural injustices they face - whether it’s limited access to resources, the challenges of No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) condition, insecure immigration status, or cultural stigma around domestic abuse.
This year’s peer support sessions incorporated a focus on policy for the first time. This new element addressed the broader challenges victims/survivors face and aimed to empower them to become part of the change.
Through collaboration between the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Policy teams, these sessions helped amplify survivors’ voices and connect their personal journeys to LAWRS’ advocacy and campaigns.
A Space for Healing and Empowerment
These sessions provided much more than information - they offered a sanctuary of safety, confidentiality, and, most importantly, the freedom to share experiences without judgment. For several of the participants, it was the first time they had felt truly seen and heard.
As one participant shared:
"I thought I wouldn’t be able to speak because I struggle so much. But this group was different. It gave me the strength to open up. Knowing I wasn’t alone made all the difference."
Each session was uniquely structured, focusing on topics that resonated deeply with the survivors lived experiences, including:
- Male Privilege and Gender Roles: Reflecting on how cultural norms perpetuate inequality.
- The Cycle of Violence: Recognizing harmful patterns, with one participant admitting, "I thought it was love."
- The Wheel of Power and Control: Learning to identify and understand abusive behaviors.
- Stages of the Journey: Focusing on moving forward and reclaiming their lives.
- Myths About Domestic Abuse: Breaking down taboos and rebuilding self-esteem after emotional abuse.
- Protecting Children: Offering tools to safeguard children from manipulation and harm.
These topics were particularly meaningful in illustrating the context and cultural norms that are associated with traditional gender roles and familial expectations, such as remaining with the perpetrator no matter the abuse and trauma especially if there are children involved, often creating additional barriers to recognizing and addressing abuse.
Surpassing Expectations
The majority of the participants arrived at the sessions uncertain, carrying heavy burdens of fear, anger, and self-doubt. One participant described her journey:"I came into this with so much anger, but through these sessions, I feel empowered. Talking about these issues has been incredibly helpful. This group was really useful, it was dynamic, respectful."
Another reflected on how these sessions defied her initial expectations: "I thought it would be like other support groups, maybe something like AA. But after the first session, I realized it was completely different. It was perfect for me - a space to have real conversations. They helped me more than I could have imagined."
A Community
One of the most powerful realizations to come from the group was the shared understanding among participants that domestic abuse affects women regardless of age, education, or background. One participant shared, "for the first time, I realized that what I was going through was part of the cycle of violence. The information gave me clarity and helped me make the decision to leave my relationship and be with my baby."
This connection created a ripple effect of empowerment. Many women expressed a desire to share what they had learned with others in the Latin American community, creating a domino effect of awareness and support. "We want to spread the word so that more women know there are safe spaces like this," one participant explained.
Beyond the Sessions: A Call to Action
LAWRS remains committed to listening to and supporting the voices of our community; to pursue equal rights and social justice for all Latin American women and migrant women in the UK. We want survivors to remember that what they’ve endured is not their fault and that their voices are powerful and a catalyst for change. These peer support sessions are a doorway to understanding these points further. At the end of these sessions, some of the women were inspired to take their involvement further, expressing a desire to join LAWRS’ advocacy and policy work as part of their healing journey.
LAWRS’ mission is to ensure no woman walks this journey alone. From providing vital resources to amplifying voices, our work is rooted in the belief that every survivor deserves support, dignity, and a pathway to healing.
A Message to Our Community: You Are Not Alone
To every Latin American woman facing similar challenges: You are not alone. Spaces like these exist to help you heal, find your strength, and use your voice to stand up for your rights.
As one participant said, “I feel very strong.” Another shared, “I am so grateful for all the help; it has been very meaningful to me.”
Your experiences matter, and your voice is powerful. Let’s continue to uplift one another and build a community where every woman feels seen, heard, and supported.
If you or someone you know needs support, LAWRS is here for you. Reach out to us - this is your space, and we are ready to listen.
Bringing purpose to my life
By Rizia, volunteer on the LAWRS helpline and on the Psychotherapy Team as Administrator.
Introduction
Nice to meet you, my name is Rizia Cabral. I am Brazilian, born in the Amazon region, third daughter of 5, trained psychiatrist and for more than a year I have been volunteering for Latin American Women's Right Service.
When I decided to apply for a volunteer role at LAWRS, I was looking for fulfillment in my new life in the UK. With basic English I was trying to say out loud that I want more of this experience of living in foreign lands. I was unable to occupy the available space on the VAWG team after my interview for the position. But the first step had been taken. The volunteer coordinator, Betsy, promptly offered me a new opportunity to perform another role as a Portuguese Helpline Agent. This time I studied hard to give my best in the interview. My desire to feel useful and return to work had gained even more strength after getting to know and learning more about LAWRS. This time the position was mine.
My experience as a Helpline Agent
Listening to the vulnerabilities of Latin American women and working as a team in the first contact and reception of service users was great. Supporting our community and feeling like you belong to a group has been incredible. I have never imagined how strong an impact this could have on my personal life. I was able to appreciate the extent of my privileges when I realized the number of women who go through and deal with extreme suffering here in the UK. At the same time, I identified with the shared sufferings of all of us, Latin American women : the challenge of a new language, a new environment, a new perspective on life, homesickness and many others. I also learned a lot about my adaptability and resilience, necessary to move forward. I developed more confidence in my intellectual capacity, I created strategies to deal with my fears and my false beliefs about myself. Each woman I supported on the helpline taught me with her story and touched me as a human being in a transformative way.
Transition to Psychotherapy Service Administrator
I continue to work as a volunteer administrator of the psychotherapy team. I can see a big and profound change in myself in the professional field. I am not only involved with the Latin American community, participating in workshops or contacting our clients to measure mood and anxiety data or verify their satisfaction with our service offered. But I have also participated in discussions and exchanges of experiences with my fellow psychologists and counselors in the office.
This exchange has been so rich in terms of learning, as well as personal encouragement, for me to take further professional and academic steps here in the UK. To give you an example: I am in the process of validating my specialty here. I was successful in my first exam (paper A) at the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Back then, before I managed to expose myself to my first volunteer interview, I couldn't even dream of practicing my profession here in the United Kingdom. Before, there were only fleeting moments when I could see myself working as a doctor here in the UK. But being embraced by LAWRS opened doors for me to make definitive changes, changes in thought and behavior.
Now, I walk a path filled with purpose and hope. I can't wait to share even more with you. To each member of LAWRS and to each person reached by our services: Thank you very much!
Join our Young Women’s Advisory Board 2024
Would you like to inspire and unlock your full potential to champion and lead action to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG)?
At LAWRS, we are looking for 12 enthusiastic Latin American Young Women aged 18 to 24, based in London, to join our Young Women’s Advisory Board for one year.
What’s it about?
The Young Women’s Advisory Board is an initiative by the Latin American Women’s Rights Service (LAWRS) and its project for girls and young women: Sin Fronteras. The programme seeks to train Latin American Young Women for collective action at the intersection of migration, age, and gender, amongst others.
This programme provides you with theoretical and practical skills in feminist leadership and advocacy that you will be able to apply in your life, your career, and your community.
The program will be held in English and Spanish, and meetings will be in-person in London.
Who’s it for?
Latin American Young Women aged 18 to 24*, based in London, are invited to participate in the Young Women’s Advisory Board and will receive a stipend to support their engagement in the programme (at London Living Wage levels).
Please note: this also includes first and second-generation of young women with Latin American ethnicity and European/UK nationality.
* Please notice you must be at most 24 years old by the time of submitting the application form.
How?
The one year programme (Apr.2024 - Mar.2025) consists of 8 sessions Leadership and Advocacy training (Saturdays, Jun. Oct and Sep. 2024), 9 Discussion Meetings about tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) as Latin American young migrant women advocates (Apr, Jun, Nov, Dec 2024, Jan, Feb and Mar 2025) and 3 planned activities (LAWRS’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), LAWRS’ International Women’s Day (IWD) and the Million Women Rise March). (Nov.2024 and Mar.2025)
Programme Timeline
Programme Starts: Saturday 27th April - Opening Session. (11 am – 3 pm) in-person in London.
Saturday 11th May: Discussion session to set goals for the year. (11 am – 3 pm) in-person in London.
Leadership and Advocacy training sessions:
- Saturdays 08th and 15th June 2024. (11 am – 4 pm) in-person in London.
- Saturdays 07th, 14th, 21st and 28th June 2024. (11 am – 4 pm) in-person in London.
- Saturdays 12th and 26th October 2024. (11 am – 4 pm) in-person in London.
Further discussion sessions:
- 13th and 27th Jul, 9th Nov, 7th Dec. 2024, 25th Jan and 15th Feb 2025. (11 am – 3 pm) in-person in London.
Other activities*:
- 23rd Nov. 2024 - LAWRS’ AGM
- 1st Mar. 2025 - LAWRS’ IWD
- 8th Mar. 2025 - Million Women Rise March
* Throughout the year we expect to have participative activities where the YWAB can amplify their network and uptake action. It will be In-person meetings in London, time to be confirmed. These are highly recommended activities, however they are not compulsory and will not be financially compensated.
Program Ends: Saturday 15th March 2025.
Benefits
With the Young Women’s Advisory Board, you can gain skills, meet new people, and influence LAWRS’ policy work bringing youth voices to the centre of the organisation and the public debate.
Get involved in the work that we do, get paid for your time, gain valuable experience to include in your CV, get trained in leadership and activism, and be invited to LAWRS events and beyond!
This is your chance to create a more equal world for girls and young women, participate in a collective social change actions programme to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG), and shape LAWRS’ policy work.
Apply Now!
Apply online using our Application Form
Applications are open until Monday, 22nd April 2024.
Please note that completion of the application form does not guarantee a place in the programme. If your application is accepted, you will be invited to an online interview/call in the following days. If selected, you are expected to attend the PYL’s Leadership and Advocacy training in September.
Contact
Taline, the project coordinator, would be happy to talk to you if you have any questions or need support with your application.
Contact her at: sinfronteras@lawrs.org.uk / 07802 645001.
We would be grateful if you could also share this information with your network, as we want to ensure many young women know about this opportunity, especially those with a passion for making a difference in the lives of women and girls.
Thank you for taking an interest. We can’t wait to hear from you!
VAWG Sector Joint Statement on Social Housing Allocations Consultation
March 2024
The government’s ‘British homes for British people’ proposal raises strong concerns from the VAWG sector, especially for by-and-for organisations that support marginalised groups. The proposed changes to the social housing allocation as a means to tackle a chronic lack of suitable social housing would create further barriers and discrimination towards survivors of domestic abuse and other forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG), preventing them from accessing safe and affordable housing at a time when local councils are on their knees, facing unprecedented financial difficulties and demand for social housing. Marginalised groups will be greatly disproportionately impacted. Migrant survivors of VAWG, in particular, will be forced to face another barrier in the already existing hostile environment.
Safe, affordable housing – including social homes – for women and children escaping VAWG is an urgent priority. Our organisations see first hand the devastating cost of the housing crisis on survivors, who are often forced to ‘choose’ between homelessness and housing insecurity or remaining with a perpetrator, leaving them in trapped situations. But the government’s proposals to restrict access to the social housing register based on the number of years households have lived in the UK, or within their local area, will do nothing to tackle this. Instead, survivors will face even greater restrictions to accessing the severe lack of social housing and these policies will contribute further to the already existing hostile environment facing migrant women. It is highly concerning that the changes will remove access or social housing for migrant women who do have recourse to public funds, such as refugees, despite their eligibility being protected by international law.
Migrant survivors of VAWG, once again, will have to desperately try to navigate in a system that already affects them disproportionately. There is little relevance between the policy and the needs of survivors. Children will also be heavily implicated, creating further instability and uncertainty to their safety. Rather than implementing the urgent changes survivors need to exempt them from restrictive local connection requirements, the Government has chosen to prioritise further consultation on these divisive measures.
LAWRS, along with other organisations in the VAWG sector urge the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to prioritise building more social housing and delivering the reforms that women and children experiencing VAWG desperately need. The Government should urgently publish its response to the local connection restrictions and joint tenancy reform, and deliver its commitment to empower survivors with the ability to decide what is best for them - remaining in their own home or moving to another home - rather than proceeding with harmful changes to social housing allocations. Most importantly, urgent measures should be taken to provide all survivors, namely those with no recourse to public funds, with equal access to life-saving domestic abuse support and safe accommodation.
Read our full statement here
Supportive pathways
By Mariana (She/her)
Recently, as part of my volunteering with LAWRS, I took part in a Peer Support group for women victim/survivors of gender-based abuse. This is a space designed to offer safety, confidentiality, and, above all, freedom to share our experiences without any judgment. For our participants, the only requirement to join the group was to have lived experience of abuse.
Initially, I admit I didn't know what to expect. The idea of meeting strangers to discuss topics we often avoid even with those closest to us seemed unusual, intimidating, and uncomfortable. How would we address such complex and painful issues? What if no one wanted to share their experiences?
Our meetings were structured around specific themes, from understanding what gender roles are to exploring healthy relationships and the myths surrounding domestic abuse, among others. We prepared materials for each session such as videos, songs, and other types of content, which then became starting points for our group discussions.
Each session was unique, bringing us closer as a group but also closer to ourselves. I learned that understanding our pain became easier and more evident when seeing it reflected in my peers, and the compassion we apply when hearing their stories is the same we ought to apply to ourselves. I discovered new perspectives and found an unexpected sense of solidarity and mutual understanding.
As the sessions progressed, sharing became easier and participation more comfortable; each week felt like gathering with old friends. But undoubtedly, the most unexpected part of my experience was realising that this place, intended to address difficult issues, was filled with laughter and joy. Despite addressing serious matters, we found moments of lightness and camaraderie. Each woman who participated in these sessions gifted me a piece of her story, a piece of wisdom I carry with me.
This group showed me that our experiences as women, although diverse, connect us in the same context. The injustices and violence we face do not discriminate by age, country, education, or socioeconomic status. We are sisters in this common struggle, sharing an understanding that transcends our differences.
It's curious how we find some comfort in realising that we're not alone in our experiences and emotions—feeling validated knowing that other women have faced similar situations. However, this comfort is weighed down by the inevitable question of 'why’.
We ask ourselves: why are our stories so similar? Why do we repeatedly find ourselves in vulnerable situations? Why do we feel unfairly and disproportionately judged? It's unsettling to see how we're constantly in the position of being victims of the same crimes and injustices. It leads us to question why, despite progress and efforts, we still face these barriers, these limitations imposed on us simply because we're women.
We find ourselves needing to take a defensive stance, holding a persistent state of alertness. But there are times when we also become part of this cycle, judging those who attempt to challenge these limitations imposed on us and are so deeply ingrained in us that we often impose them on ourselves.
In this group, I was reminded of the importance of a continuous fight for equality, the need to break free from limiting structures, and the desire to build a more equitable and just world for all women.
It was a pleasure and an honour to share this space with these resilient women, and above all, I discovered that mutual support and open, respectful discussion are a refuge and a space for growth and healing.
Empowering Voices: LAWRS’ Young Women's Advisory Board Launch their first campaign
In a world where diverse voices are increasingly recognised through making their way to be heard, a group of remarkable young Latin American women based in London is stepping onto the political stage with a vision of social change. These young women are not only challenging stereotypes but also working towards contributing to reshaping the political landscape in the UK.
In commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, we will spotlight the work our YWAB has developed in the last months.
The campaign includes 12 images that portray their work on identifying the barriers to support that young Latin American Migrant Women encounter when facing violence against women and girls (VAWG).
The Latin American community in the UK remains invisible and underserved. Young Latin American Women are all too familiar with the stereotypes associated with their heritage, but they are determined to break free from these preconceptions. This campaign focuses on showcasing their unique identities, skills, and visions for a brighter future in the political arena to tackle VAWG.
What sets this campaign apart is the incredible diversity of perspectives and experiences these young women bring to the table. Hailing from different countries across Latin America, they have a profound understanding of the cultural, social, and economic issues affecting their communities and the broader UK society. By drawing on this diversity, the campaign aims to provide key findings and recommendations with a holistic approach and an inclusive vision for a better future for all women.
Launching a political campaign is no small feat, and these young Latin American women understand the challenges that lie ahead. They face the barriers typically encountered by women in policy spaces and the additional structural hurdles that come with being part of a minoritised group. Despite this, their hope and determination shine through as they believe social change is possible through persistence, collaboration and advocacy.
The YWAB spearheading this campaign in the UK represents a beacon of hope for communities that have been marginalised. By focusing on gender equality, prevention of every form of VAWG, representation, fair access to higher education, healthcare, economic empowerment, and cultural exchange, they are working towards a brighter future for all. Their campaign is a testament to the power of diversity, unity, and the resilience of young voices determined to make a difference in the world. As we follow their journey, we can't help but be inspired by their passion and dedication to creating a more inclusive and equitable society.
You can find further details in this report.
Contact
Taline, the project coordinator, would be happy to talk to you if you have any questions or if you want to participate in our group activities for Young Latin American Women. Contact her at: sinfronteras@lawrs.org.uk / 07802 645001.
Take action to ensure the Victims and Prisoners Bill protects migrant women
https://youtu.be/E_ZjwtDdMv0
Migrant women are disproportionately impacted by serious crime. As recognised by the
government, this vulnerability is linked to the limited avenues for support available due to their insecure immigration status. Moreover, perpetrators and exploiters weaponise women’s status to limit their options further, keeping them trapped in harm.
Amongst migrant victims of crime, one of the most significant barriers to accessing support and justice is low confidence in approaching the police and other statutory agencies to report crime and ask for help. This lack of trust is not unjustified but fostered by existing data-sharing agreements between statutory services, including the police and the Home Office. Freedom of information requests (FOI) showed that between May 2020 and September 2022, the police shared the details of over 2,000 vulnerable victims with Immigration Enforcement after victims reported the crime. Some of these victims have been served with enforcement papers and are at risk of deportation. Recently, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner revealed that all police forces in England and Wales have shared information with Immigration Enforcement after victims of domestic abuse approached them for support.
In 2020, three independent police watchdogs conducting a super-complaint investigation concluded that these data-sharing agreements between the police and the Home Office are causing significant harm to the public interest because serious crimes are not reported and investigated, allowing perpetrators to act with impunity.
We need your support to ensure migrant victims and survivors of crime are not excluded from safety.
Write to your MP
- To obtain your MP details, please click here and enter your postcode. We have worked on a template letter to make this easier for you. Click here to download it.
Share this campaign with your contacts.
- Follow us on our Twitter account for updates about this campaign and our work.
For further information, contact us:
Elizabeth Jiménez-Yáñez, elizabeth@lawrs.org.uk
Carolina Caicedo, carolina@lawrs.org.uk