Seeking Refuge? - Rights of Women
Seeking Refuge? - Rights of Women
Seeking Refuge? - Rights of Women
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<strong>Seeking</strong> <strong>Refuge</strong>?<br />
A handbook for asylum-seeking women<br />
Foreword<br />
“Every year millions <strong>of</strong> people across the world are<br />
forced to flee their homes because <strong>of</strong> violence and<br />
persecution. Some <strong>of</strong> those people will seek<br />
refuge by making a claim for asylum here in the<br />
UK. Comic Relief understands how vulnerable<br />
those seeking refuge are, because <strong>of</strong> what has<br />
happened to them in their country <strong>of</strong> origin and<br />
the challenges they face here. Many asylumseeking<br />
women arrive in the UK having<br />
experienced sexual violence, such as rape, or<br />
torture or other forms <strong>of</strong> violence. Sexual violence<br />
is currently such a serious problem worldwide that<br />
the Security Council <strong>of</strong> the United Nations<br />
consider it an issue <strong>of</strong> international peace and<br />
security.<br />
Traumatic experiences, such as rape or torture, are<br />
extremely hard to deal with or even talk about,<br />
particularly with a stranger, such as a male<br />
interpreter, or in an unfamiliar environment, such<br />
as through a screen in a public <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> the UK<br />
Border Agency. Yet this is what asylum-seeking<br />
women have to do, just days after arriving in the<br />
UK. Many asylum-seeking women do not<br />
understand how decisions about their cases are<br />
made and why, or what their rights are.<br />
The way the asylum system is currently set up<br />
makes it difficult for women to disclose the abuse<br />
they have experienced and explain their need for<br />
protection. Comic Relief supports <strong>Rights</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Women</strong>’s vital work because it helps to ensure<br />
that women get the information and advice they<br />
need throughout the asylum process. <strong>Seeking</strong><br />
<strong>Refuge</strong>? is a fantastic resource. It explains, in<br />
clear and accessible language, the law that<br />
determines who is entitled to protection in the UK<br />
and how the asylum system works. It is essential<br />
reading for asylum-seeking women and all those<br />
who support them in their struggle to live lives<br />
free from violence and abuse.”<br />
Nalini Varma<br />
Trustee <strong>of</strong> Comic Relief and Chair <strong>of</strong> the<br />
UK Grants Committee<br />
“<strong>Rights</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Women</strong> has been providing women<br />
with specialist legal advice for nearly 35 years. We<br />
understand how important it is for women to<br />
know and understand the law, and their legal<br />
rights, so that they can protect themselves and<br />
their families from violence.<br />
We have written this book for asylum-seeking<br />
women because we recognise that they are<br />
particularly vulnerable. They <strong>of</strong>ten find it hard to<br />
find reliable and accessible legal information on<br />
asylum law and the process <strong>of</strong> claiming asylum in<br />
the UK. We hope that this book will help asylumseeking<br />
women, and those that support them,<br />
understand the law that determines who is<br />
entitled to protection in the UK and how decisions<br />
are made. We hope that in this way we can help<br />
more women live lives free from violence here in<br />
the UK”.<br />
Emma Scott<br />
Director, <strong>Rights</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Women</strong><br />
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