End Violence Against Women Coalition have identified that insecure immigration status can stop women reporting violent and sexual crimes to the police. This is particularly true for women with insecure immigration status or for those who are reliant on a spousal visa as they are more likely to be fearful of deportation.
Rachel Krys, co-director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition (Evaw), said: “The public are rightly outraged by the devastating impact the hostile environment immigration policy has had on the lives of the Windrush generation. The same policy is also leaving many women at risk of violence and exploitation, scaring them away from seeking help and making it harder for them to access life-saving services.”
Many migrant women, including victims of trafficking, as well as asylum seekers and those with work visas, student visas or visas connected to their spouse, also have no access to public funds and are therefore prevented from using refuges.
The Guardian article is available here.