Violence against women and girls is everybody’s problem. It cuts across age, class, race, religion or belief, gender, sex and sexual orientation. Over the last three years, some domestic violence/abuse support services have reported a 900% rise in calls asking for help. Overwhelmingly, those in need of support are Black and minority ethnic, asylum and refugee women, who face heightened risks because of their gender, race, religion and class. The UK government’s 2012 ‘hostile environment’ policy has removed these women’s access to many basic services through ‘no resource to public funds’ [NPRF] measures, which means they have no access to refuge services and must choose between staying with their abusers or trying to survive on the streets. The pandemic has only made this worse. While the government has recognized the increase in domestic violence during lock-down, recent policy briefings have given little attention to the specific impact this is having on Black and minority ethnic/ 'by and for' organizations' and the communities they serve. That’s why we need your help.

Your support is critical. If you can make a minimum donation of just £25.00, you will help us deliver emergency essentials during the humanitarian crisis faced by asylum/refugee/Afghan women and children who are being temporarily supported by specialist 'by and for' services across England, Wales and Scotland.

Cases we are supporting

"Amara" was told by social services that she and her young daughter could simply live at the opposite side of the same house to her abusive husband when she reported domestic abuse. Social services refused to support her to leave the unsafe family home and find alternative, safe accommodation. Safety4Sisters are supporting her.

'By and for' specialist services who have been supported through this fund since June 2020 - December 2022 include: Refugee Women of Bristol, Women for Refugee Women, Southall Black Sisters, Sistah Space, London Black Women's Project, Amadudu, Apna Haq, Angelou Centre, Newcastle, Ashiana Network, Iranian and Kurdish Women's Rights Organisation Women's Rights, Humraaz Blackburn, Asha Project, Safety 4 Sisters, Manchester and Halo Project, Newcastle.

Examples of the impact and reach of donations since 29 June 2020:

"The money helped to buy essentials for myself and my children including personal toiletries items. The children were excited when I purchased ice-creams on a hot day for them as they didn’t have an ice-cream for the last six weeks – it was lovely to see them smiling. I was sending blessings and prayers to those that supported me and brought a smile on my children’s face. During Ramadan and Eid – we were able to celebrate these auspicious occasions with the financial assistance provided, it would not have been possible without the support" [service user of 'by and for' refuge].

"Without the funds, don’t know what would have happened to me and my child – with the funds provided I was able to get food for myself and child. I never had money in my hands as my husband was very controlling. By receiving the funds from you - this has given me the confidence and independence in purchasing items and I really appreciate your support in purchasing household items (bed, fridge, microwave) – I am extremely thankful as without your support I do not know where I would have ended up" [service user of 'by and for' refuge].

"We have been able to provide subsistence to service users to buy food, a mother was able to buy brand new uniform for her child, and another woman was housed in a hotel as an emergency, when no funds could be made immediate by social services" ['by and for' refuge].

"The donations have helped us immensely, because in [these] difficult times, we were able to provide and support African- Caribbean women and other vulnerable people in our community with food and essentials - specific to the needs of African and Caribbean people". ['by and for'; service provider].

Thanks

Aisha K. Gill© [📧 ak.gill@bristol.ac.uk] #togetherwithrefugees #uniteactivism

In collaboration with
Hasil Foundation | Mona Arshi | Sweety Kapoor