Are there specialist services for people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities?

There are a range of national services that can provide help and support for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people affected by domestic violence & abuse or sexual violence & abuse, including:

Ashiana Network

Ashiana Network offers advice, training, counselling and support services to women and girls aged 14+ experiencing domestic violence, forced marriage, and/or sexual violence.

Based in East London, the organisation runs three refuges for South Asian, Turkish and Iranian women. Two refuges are for women aged 16-25 with no children experiencing forced marriage and one is for women aged 16-30 with no children. Ashiana provides resettlement services for 3-6 months for refuge residents.

Ashiana also has a caseworker for Harmful Practices: Honour Based Violence, Forced Marriage & Female Genital Mutilation.

Tel: 020 8539 0427

Email: info@ashiana.org.uk

Website: www.ashiana.org.uk

Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Home Office Forced Marriage Unit (FMU)

The FMU is a joint government unit, which operates in the UK and overseas where consular assistance is provided to British nationals, including dual nationals.

The unit operates a public helpline to provide advice and support to victims of forced marriage as well as to professionals dealing with cases. The assistance ranges from simple safety advice, through to aiding a victim to prevent their unwanted spouse moving to the UK and in extreme circumstances, to rescues of victims held against their will overseas.

It is a criminal offence in the UK to force someone to marry and can result in a sentence of up to 7 years in prison.

Tel: 020 7008 0151

Email: fmu@fco.gov.uk

Website: www.gov.uk/forced-marriage

FORWARD UK

FORWARD (Foundation for Women’s Health Research and Development) is an African Diaspora women-led campaign and support charity dedicated to advancing and safeguarding the sexual and reproductive health and rights of African girls and women.

FORWARD works to change practices and policies that affect access, dignity and wellbeing in the UK, Europe and Africa and tackles female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage and related rights of girls and young women.

In March 2004, the new UK Female Genital Mutilation Act makes FGM prohibited by law whether it is committed against a UK national or permanent UK resident in the UK or abroad.

If you are at risk or suspect someone is at risk, you can ring FORWARD for support and advice.

Tel: 020 8960 4000

Fax: 020 8960 4014

Website: www.forwarduk.org.uk

Friends, Families And Travellers (FFT)

FFT seeks to end racism and discrimination against Gypsies and Travellers, whatever their ethnicity or background, whether settled or mobile and to protect the right to pursue a nomadic way of life.

FFT provides advice and information for Gypsies and Travellers on a wide range of issues including education, health, legal, housing and homelessness. FFT works to bridge Gypsies and Travellers into mainstream services including those providing domestic violence support.

Tel: 01273 234 777

Email: fft@gypsy-traveller.org

Website: www.gypsy-traveller.org/

Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation (IKWRO)

IKROW’s mission is to protect Middle Eastern and Afghan women and girls who are at risk of ‘honour-based’ violence, forced marriage, child marriage, FGM, and domestic violence and to promote their rights.

IKROW provides direct services for women and girls, including advocacy, training and counselling. Staff also provide advice and support to professionals from bodies such as the police, social services and schools.

IKRO offers advice in Farsi, Kurdish, Dari, Arabic, Turkish and Pashto.

Tel: 020 7920 6460 (Mon-Fri 9.30-5.30)

Out of hours emergencies:

Tel: 07846 275246 (Kurdish/Arabic 24 hrs)

Tel: 07846 310157 (Farsi/Dari/Turkish 24 hrs)

A form to send a secure email is available on the website.

Website: http://ikwro.org.uk/

Latin American Women’s Rights Service (LAWRS)

LAWRS’ Violence Against Women prevention project offers advice, advocacy and practical support for Latin American women who are experiencing or have experienced any form of violence. Support consists of:

• Telephone and face-to-face advice and casework
• Advocacy to secure legal protection, rights and entitlements
• Securing safe and emergency accommodation
• Referrals to therapy, welfare, employment and language support services
• Informing women of their rights

LAWRS works with trusted lawyers, refuges, health and other services to secure specialist support for all Latin American women regardless of their status, income, age or sexuality.

All services are free, confidential and are available in Spanish and Portuguese. A crèche facility is available for users with young children.

Tel: 020 7336 0888 / 084 4264 0682

Website: www.lawrs.org.uk

Website in Spanish: http://lawrs-esp.org.uk

Website in Portuguese: www.lawrs-port.org.uk

Southall Black Sisters (SBS)

SBS is a not-for-profit organisation set up to meet the needs of black and minority ethnic women.

Based in Southall, London, the organisation provides a range of advice and support services to enable BME women to gain the knowledge and confidence they need to assert their human rights.

SBS provides general and specialist advice on gender-related issues such as domestic violence, sexual violence, forced marriage, ‘honour’ killings and their intersection with the criminal justice, immigration and asylum systems; health, welfare rights, homelessness and poverty.

Helpline: 020 8571 0800

General Enquiries: 020 8571 9595

Website: www.southallblacksisters.org.uk

Government Home Office UK Border Agency

Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain as a victim of domestic violence

If a woman’s relationship with a British citizen or someone settled in the UK has broken down because of domestic violence, she may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain (permission to stay in the UK permanently).

For more information and to obtain the application form SET (DV) for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK as a Victim of Domestic Violence, follow this link.

Applying for access to public funds

If a woman is in the UK on a temporary visa as a partner, the relationship has broken down because of domestic violence and the woman has no money to support herself, she can ask for permission to claim public funds (benefits) for up to 3 months while UK Visas and Immigration considers her application to settle in the UK.

For more information and to obtain the application form for the Destitution Domestic Violence (DDV) concession, follow this link.