Safe reporting is a human right for all. It must be introduced in legislation and put into practice by all victim- support services so no woman is left destitute, detained or deported when reporting abuse.
Step Up Migrant Women is a campaign formed by a coalition of 36 organisations and led by BME specialist organisations in the women sector.
“Abused by my husband he took my dignity away […] the police and social workers abuse me as well. No one believed me until I came here (black-led women’s centre) Why? because I am not from here and they took his side. They said I had no rights. Now I know what my rights are know this can never be done to me again”
GLORIA IS A TRAFFICKED SURVIVOR AND EXPERIENCED DOMESTIC SERVITUDE AND SEXUAL ABUSE. GLORIA CALLED THE POLICE 3 TIMES WHILST LIVING IN SOUTH WEST OF ENGLAND. EVERY TIME THEY CAME, THEY CHECKED HER IMMIGRATION STATUS. NO FURTHER ACTION WAS TAKEN.
You can access the briefing by clicking on the image
This Briefing was written by LAWRS with the vital contribution of Women’s Aid, Sisters For Change, Amnesty UK, Rights of Women, End Violence Against Women and Girls Coalition, Imkaan. Recommendations, cases and voices of BME specialist services leading the campaign with LAWRS such as Imece Women’s Centre, Kiran Support Services, Angelou Centre, Safety 4 Sisters, Southall Black Sisters, Kurdish Middle Eastern Women’s Organisation, London Black Women’s Project, Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation, Women for Refugee Women, Middle Eastern Women and Society Organisation; Rape Crisis, Maternity Action, Safe Lives, STADV; well as Project 17, Liberty, MIgrant Right’s Network.
