Help for women refugees and asylum seekers facing sexual violence or abuse

What is sexual and gender-based violence?

Sexual violence is a form of gender-based violence. This means harm or abuse that happens because of someone’s gender.

Gender-based violence can include sexual violence and exploitation, forced or child marriage, and female genital mutilation (FGM). It can also include so-called “honour-based” violence, domestic abuse, and violence between partners. Abuse can take different forms. It can be physical (hurting your body), sexual, emotional or psychological. It can also include controlling your money or your belongings.

How to know if you are experiencing gender-based violence

A controlling relationship can be a form of violence or abuse.

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you might be in an abusive and controlling relationship or situation.

• Are you often afraid of someone or a member of your family?
• Have you ever been hit, kicked, shoved, punched, bitten, choked, spat at or had things thrown at you by anyone?
• Does anyone demean you, threaten to hurt you or put you down consistently?
• Has anyone been using fear, intimidation, threats and/or name calling to hurt and control you?
• Do you have to ask anyone permission to spend your money, going out or socialise with your friends and family members?
• Does anyone ever threaten to hurt your children or to take them away from you?
• Does anyone ever touch you in a way you don’t want to be touched?
• Are you or do you ever feel pressured to have sex with your partner or someone else against your will?
• Has anyone ever destroyed your belongings in order to control or scare you?
• Is somebody deprived you of your passport or other important documents
• Have you been blackmailed by anyone and are you afraid to seek for help?
• Are you getting married against your will?

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you might be in an abusive and controlling relationship or situation.

It is not your fault

Abuse can happen to anyone regardless of gender, sexual identity, age, ethnic groups, nationality, culture, religion, disability, economic status or location. Using abusive and controlling behaviour is never acceptable. You have the right to protection from abuse and violence and access to justice and support in the UK and all European countries.

Remember: you are not alone and you are not the person to blame for the abuse or violence you are experiencing.

You can also download our Staying safe leaflet (PDF) with this information.

Information on staying safe in other languages

Advice on how to stay safe and call a helpline is also available in:

Arabic

Staying safe leaflet in Arabic (PDF)

Farsi

Staying safe leaflet in Farsi (PDF)

Tigrinya

Staying safe leaflet in Tigrinya (PDF)

Call a helpline

To understand your rights and entitlements in this country, you can contact any of the following helplines to receive independent and accurate information:

• National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 200 247
• Karma Nivana (honour-based abuse) on 0800 5999 247
• Galop (LGBTQ+) on 0800 999 5428
• Men’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0327

Before your call

• Make sure to be in a safe place, and have enough time to complete the call.
• Make sure your phone is charged.

During your call

• Ask for an interpreter if you need one.
• The call should be confidential.
• You can ask for an advice and your rights on safety, immigration, accommodation, protection and financial support.

After the call

• You are being very brave for seeking help.
• Take some time to understand the information given.
• You are not alone.