Press: Duncan Lewis Takes Government to Court over Legal Aid Fees (13 June 2024)
VICTORY: Together with women from All African Women’s Group, we provided evidence for Duncan Lewis’ successful Judicial Review.
Refuge from Rape & Destitution
REFUGE FROM RAPE AND DESTITUTION
In the UK in 2015, about 1,252,000 people, including 312,000 children, were destitute at some point (defined as not being able to afford to buy the essentials to eat, stay warm and dry, and keep clean). People seeking asylum are cut off from all support when their legal case is refused. Those living on asylum support benefits get 50% less than the poverty line benefits that others in the UK get. Our campaigning aims to highlight the destitution of women in particular as this is often hidden, and spell out the rape and other abuse it makes women vulnerable to. Women are less likely to sleep rough and instead have to exchange housework, childcare, sexual favours . . . to survive. Thirty-five percent of destitute homeless women asylum seekers report being raped in the UK. Children are increasingly taken away from destitute mothers and families.
See also our blog https://refugefromrapeanddestitution.blog/
Press: BIG ISSUE “I ended up in hospital due to lack of legal aid for my asylum claim – I got physically sick”
The letter came through with her travel vouchers and Amy began to panic. The Home Office was asking her to come in for an interview to speak about her asylum case. It was one of four requests from the Home Office, made in the space of four and a half months between December and April …
PRESS: “They’re taunting me”: Home Office asylum interviews are retraumatising rape survivors
Campaigners worry women seeking asylum are being harmed and wrongly refused claims for protection. Women seeking asylum after experiencing rape are reporting further traumatisation by the Home Office’s interviewing process. At these meetings, women recall being forced to rehash the sexual violence they have experienced to interviewers they believe to be insensitive to their trauma. …
In the media: The fight for justice goes on
The fight for justice goes on, Letter in Camden New Journal Thank you for raising the question “Can the Met be trusted with their new powers?” From our experience as organisations campaigning for protection and justice, the answer is a resounding No. But we must ask, why is an institution found to be institutionally racist, …
In the media: Cristel Amiss interview with The No Walls Podcast
Crissie Amiss on “The No Walls” Podcast In celebration of International Women’s Day 2023, the No Walls Podcast asked Cristel Amiss – joint coordinator of Women Against Rape – to speak with them. Cristel has had a remarkable three decade career, where she has constantly and fearlessly advocated for marginalised women and survivors of gender …
Event report: Europe-wide action called by Refugees in Libya.
Event: Europe wide action called by Refugees in Libya On Tuesday 10th January a lively group of people gathered outside the London offices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as part of a Europe-wide action called by Refugees in Libya. Protestors gathered simultaneously outside UNHCR Berlin, Brussels, Rome and Tripoli to commemorate …
In the media: Response to news that a man died after his health deteriorated in Manston
Activists respond to news that a man died after his health deteriorated in Manston Please see another important press release below from Action Against Detention & Deportations. The death of a man who spent a week incarcerated in Manston detention camp means that a mother has lost her precious son. The immigration authorities remain suspiciously …
Event: ‘Shut Manston Down’ – Groups demand closure of camp
‘SHUT MANSTON DOWN’: GROUPS DEMAND END TO DETENTION CAMP Dear friends, Please see the important press release below from Action Against Detention & Deportations. We are part of this coalition which helped expose the conditions that children, women and men are enduring in Manston detention camp. We would be glad for your help in circulating the …
Event : Third National Protest to close down Derwentside /Hassockfield – Sat 15 Oct
Event : Third National Protest to close down Derwentside/Hassockfield – Sat 15 Oct Dear friends, This Saturday, 15 October, the third National Protest to close down Derwentside is being held. Speakers include All African Women’s Group (AAWG) many of whom have been in detention and threatened with deportation and other members of Global Women Against …
Event: House of Lords MUST STAND FIRM! Scrap the Nationality & Borders Bill
House of Lords MUST STAND FIRM! Scrap the Nationality & Borders Bill PROTEST: Tues 26 April 1-3pm Old Palace Yard Westminster London On Tuesday the racist Nationality and Borders Bill comes back to the Lords, at the same time as the hated Police, Crime and Sentencing Bill, which undermines the right to protest. Both these …