The Domestic Abuse Bill has been described as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to tackle this crime affecting more than 2 million people per year in the United Kingdom, and which women are more likely to experience. However, to make this Bill truly transformational, it needs to guarantee that all victims/survivors are protected without discrimination. For the last years, along with Southall Black Sisters and the End of Violence Against Women coalition, and other members of the Step Up Migrant women campaign, we have been campaigning to ensure the Bill protects migrant women from abuse. You can read a compilation of powerful testimonies from migrant survivors here. 

Last month, with cross-party support, the House of Lords voted for three amendments to ensure migrant women can access safety and justice. On the 15th of April, the Domestic Abuse Bill will return to the House of Commons for its final stage, and we need your support. We invite you to take action by writing to your MP and telling them to vote for the three following amendments:

–   Clause 83: For the establishment of safe reporting mechanisms, so victims can report domestic abuse safely without the fear of immigration control;

–   Clause 84: For the extension of eligibility of already existing provisions to protect migrant women, through the Domestic Violence Rule (DV Rule) and the Destitution Domestic Violence Concession (DDVC);

–   Clause 86: To ensure effective protection and support to all victims of domestic abuse by incorporating a non-discrimination clause in line with Article 4(3) of the Istanbul Convention. 

Writing to your MP

To obtain your MP details, please click here and write your postcode. We have worked on a template letter that you can use. Click here to download it. 

We invite you to follow us on our Twitter account for updates about our campaigning work.

For further information send an email to: Elizabeth Jiménez-Yáñez, elizabeth@lawrs.org.uk