A report says the UK’s asylum system makes women who are escaping sexual abuse suffer more trauma
Charities say women who flee rape and abuse are facing more harm in the UK asylum system.
The UK asylum system is making women and girls who have escaped sexual violence feel re-traumatised and at risk of further harm, charities say.
Sexual violence is a big reason many women leave their home countries, and it often happens during their journey to the UK. However, once they arrive, they are not being properly helped, according to Rape Crisis England and Wales (RCEW) and Imkaan.
In their report, “Not Safe Here,” the charities explained that women are suffering again through asylum interviews that feel like interrogations, sharing rooms with men they don’t know, poor living conditions, and a lack of support. Some women have even faced more sexual violence while staying in asylum accommodation.
Makena*, a survivor of sexual violence and exploitation from Sierra Leone, shared her experience of living in asylum accommodation: “I was scared of the people I was living with. I feared I would be raped, forced to take drugs, or that they would open my door at night. I prayed every day to God, ‘Please, get me out of this house.’ It was so traumatizing and terrifying. Those seven months were the scariest of my life.”
Charities reported that women seeking asylum faced intimidation, harassment, racism, violence, and abuse from both residents and staff. External perpetrators could easily target vulnerable women.
This behavior was made worse by staff who were not properly trained, poor safety measures, ineffective processes for handling complaints and misconduct, and a lack of support for women who wanted to complain, the report said.
Researchers interviewed four professionals in the sector and eight women who had experienced sexual violence and abuse while living in UK asylum housing. All of the survivors – four of whom had been granted asylum at the time – said the Home Office did not believe their stories.
Josephine*, who belongs to an Indigenous ethnic group in Nigeria that is severely targeted by Boko Haram militants, shared her experience: “I was turned away because I couldn’t provide proof of my daughter’s circumcision. I told them I didn’t remember the exact date it happened, so they assumed I was lying. I did my best to find the evidence, but because I couldn’t, I was denied and told to return to Nigeria.”
Charities stated that the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 punishes women for delays in making claims or submitting evidence, without considering reasons like “shame, discomfort, or fear” that may make survivors hesitant to reveal sexual violence.
Ciara Bergman, CEO of RCEW, commented: “It’s tragic when someone is sexually assaulted or exploited, and it’s even worse when these experiences are repeated by a system that is supposed to protect them.”
Ghadah Alnasseri, interim co-executive director at Imkaan, added: “Our findings highlight the urgent need for reform, stressing the importance of safe housing, specialized support services, and strong accountability measures.”
The report also suggests ending the “no recourse to public funds” policy. This policy, according to the report, forces women whose asylum claims were denied to live in poverty, making them more at risk of being exploited or abused.
A spokesperson from the Home Office said: “We are dedicated to creating an asylum process that takes gender into account. This is part of a larger government plan to address violence against women and girls.
“We make sure to carefully identify and consider the needs and vulnerabilities of people in asylum housing, including issues related to mental health and trauma.”
Published: 7th November 2024
Also Read:
What will the UK’s 2030 clean energy plan mean for businesses and the public?
Retail sales growth in the UK is slowing down as shoppers hold off on spending until Black Friday deals
Will bond investors punish Rachel Reeves with a market crash like the one that happened with Liz Truss?
