Domestic Abuse & BME Women

Domestic abuse can take various forms: 

• Are you being physically assaulted: slapped, punched, kicked, burned or is your hair pulled? 
• Are you experiencing rape & sexual assault?
• Are you threatened with exposure of intimate images or text messages being shared on social media?
• Are you taunted, put down, spoken to in a derogatory manner or verbally insulted?
• Are you Isolated from friends and family? 
• Is your freedom to come and go controlled?
• Are you accompanied to appointments? 
• Do you have access to a bank account?
• Do you have to ask for money to buy items for yourself for your children?
• Are you being controlled because of your immigration status?
• Are your phone calls being monitored?
• Are you told that the police will not help you?
• Are you told that you will be deported by the police?
• Are you told that you children will be taken away?
• Are you forced to carry out domestic household chores single handed for the entire household?
• Are you experiencing abuse perpetrated by immediate / extended family members for behaviour(s) considered shameful and a breach of family honour? ( Izzat ).

Why women stay

Do you remain in the abusive relationship for fear of reprisals from your family and community to protect your family honour?

We understand that women may be living in difficult domestic situations and experiencing domestic abuse influenced by culture and tradition.

Often women will experience isolation, threats, physical violence, extreme emotional pressure and may be murdered to protect family honour.

It is our experience that domestic abuse can adversely affect the health & wellbeing of victims causing low self-esteem, anxiety and depression.

It is NOT your fault.