No Recourse, No Help, No Safety
Women who have come to the UK, often legally, but whose immigration status is uncertain can’t get benefits in the UK, having what’s termed ‘no recourse to public funds’. If a woman in this situation experiences domestic violence, she can’t get help to find somewhere safe to stay because she can’t work or get housing benefit to pay for the room. Women have no choice but to stay in violent relationships or leave and face destitution. Many are forced into prostitution.
I recently interviewed a woman called Ayan, who has experienced just this. Her story appeared in The Guardian Weekly: http://www.guardianweekly.co.uk/?page=editorial&id=1120&catID=9
The Government proposals to offer refuge services just 25 days backpayment in rent if a woman is successful with her immigration application under the domestic violence provision is woefully inadequate. Immigration applications can take months or indeed years and on these grounds women will still be denied human rights to safety.
Amnesty and Southall Black Sisters have been campaigning against the no recourse rules. For more information: http://www.amnesty.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=11227
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