Black & Ethnic Minority Information
Domestic violence is a taboo at the best of times and within groups suffering discrimination, discussion of the subject tends to be further avoided.
In England 40 of the 240 refuge support services, are specialist refugees meeting the needs of black and minority ethnic women and children, however some women may prefer to go to a mixed refuge.
Black and minority ethnic women face the double difficulty of persecution within their family and community.
Some women do not speak English as their first language, and consideration must be given to the range of languages spoken and support agencies should not use family members as translators.
There are additional issues faced by Asian women: shame and honour (sharem and izzat), forced marriage and restrictions on lifestyle, dowry related abuse, racism, immigration and asylum.
Sensitivity to religious and cultural practices can make a considerable difference to black and minority ethnic women and often dictates whether they stay or return to the violence.
Woman might feel they have too much to lose by leaving: for instance, religious or cultural beliefs may forbid divorce or they may fear their family will disown them.
LGBT people from black and ethnic minorities may be at risk of domestic violence or abuse because of religious or cultural beliefs.
Some women may fear losing their right to stay in this country if they separate, and may be threatened with this as part of the abuse. If this is the case, please seek legal advice.
They may fear that their partner (having links with another country) may try to abduct their children and take them abroad. If this is the case, please seek legal advice.
So the message is -
- You are not alone
- It is not your fault
- Help is available
Definitions
‘Honour based violence’ is a crime or incident, which has or may have been committed to protect or defend the honour of the family and/or the community.
Forced marriage is a marriage conducted without the valid consent of one or both parties where duress is a factor.
Duress has been recognised by the Court of Appeal, which stated that the test for duress was “… whether the mind of the applicant (sic victim) has been overborne, however that was caused.” Duress can include physical, psychological, financial, sexual or emotional pressures.
In arranged marriages, the families of both spouses take a leading role in arranging the marriage but the choice whether or not to accept the arrangement remains with the prospective spouses.
Training in Honour Based Violence and Diverse Community Issues
Course Aims
To increase knowledge and understanding of Honour Based Violence (HBV) and diverse community issues.
Who is the course for?
The course is appropriate for all staff and volunteers (including Senior Managers and Practitioners). Those attending should already have a general understanding of domestic violence and abuse issues.
Course Objectives
v To enable individuals to understand and recognise HBV - including Forced Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and potential community issues
v To explore honour related abuse and the impact on victims and children
v To identify practice issues and cultural sensitivity/community beliefs
v To increase awareness of Human Rights, other Legislation and No Recourse to Public Funding issues
v To enable individuals to assess and manage risk to increase safety of victims and children
v To increase knowledge of resources and available support services to refer to
We are currently producing our training plan for 2010, and it will be published here when available.
We are willing to provide these sessions in-house at your convenience. If this is more appropriate, please contact us.
For further information please contact Karen Lolotte, PA to Marianne Fellowes & MARAC Administrator
Telephone: 01473 782754 or email: karen.lolotte@suffolk.pnn.police.uk
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More information
Guidelines for Forced Marriage for Health, Education, Social Services and Police
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/when-things-go-wrong/forced-marriage/info-for-professionals
Southall Black Sisters www.southblacksisters.org.uk Tel: 020 8571 9595
www.womankind.org.uk
www.womensaid.org.uk - has information in languages other than English including; Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Greek, Gujurati, Hindi, Punjabi, Somali, Turkish and Urdu.
Karma Nirvana - Asian Female & Male Support Project - www.karmanirvana.org.uk 01332 604098
Honour Network Helpline Number - 0800 5999 247 (9.30 am to 9.00 pm)
Iranian & Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation - www.ikwro.org.uk 020 7490 0303
NSPCC Asian Helpline - help@nspcc.org.uk 0808 800 5000
Foundation for Women’s Health Research & Development (FORWARD) - www.forwarduk.org.uk 020 8960 4000
Information about No Recourse to Public Funds
http://www.islington.gov.uk/Health/ServicesForAdults/nrpf