PAGE REDIRECT: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/Faithless-Hijabi-Mental-Health

In 2014 a Freedom of Information request to UK police forces revealed that over 11,000 cases of so-called ‘honour’ crime were recorded between 2010-14. Before accessing support, victims at risk of HBV experienced abuse for 2 years longer (5 years vs 3 years) than those not identified as at risk of HBV. Nearly a quarter (23%) of victims at risk of HBV were not eligible for most benefits. 68% of victims at risk of HBV were at high risk of serious harm or homicide, compared to 55% of those not identified as at risk of HBV.

We aim to create a safe space for women to come together and support one another. We have multiple programs in place, such as the video series “Support corner”, our community engagement group, and our story telling podcast on YouTube.

We are fundraising for our Mental Health Program. Our mental health program has partnered with a clinic in the UK that is trained to provide specialised therapy for apostates. Sponsoring 1 session for 1 person costs as little as £25 pounds, and with greater funding we can refer women for longer sessions.

The women who reach out to us for assistance, come from a multitude of countries around the world, with a wide array of security concerns. Our sessions are conducted virtually. Many of our clients come from Muslim-majority countries, where apostasy is punishable by death, and the defiance of forced veiling results in abuse, harassment, imprisonment, or even murder by their families.

These sessions are critically important due to the COVID19 pandemic. The circumstances of the lockdown environment have resulted in a rise of domestic violence. Many of these cases are due to honor-based inter-familial violence. Through providing access to these sessions, we can actively provide support is working with clinics that help women be resilient and work through their trauma.