Women with ‘no recourse to public funds’ Resource Pack

Southall Black Sisters

How Can I Support Her? Domestic Violence, immigration and women with no recourse to public funds’ Resource Pack
This resource pack for voluntary and community organisations gives comprehensive information for voluntary and community organisations supporting women with insecure immigration status who are experiencing domestic violence.It covers how to make applications under the Domestic Violence Rule, information on other immigration and asylum procedures, and details of financial support that women may be eligible for.
Download a copy of How Can I Support Her? Domestic Violence, immigration and women with no recourse to public funds’ Resource Pack
Order Form: How Can I Support Her? Domestic Violence, immigration and women with no recourse to public funds’ Resource Pack.
No Recourse Campaign Leaflet (A4) This campaign brings together key women’s organisations to highlight the devastating impact of the ‘no recourse’ requirement on the lives of minority women without secure immigration status who are subject to domestic violence. Download a copy of the No Recourse leaflet publicising the campaign, which also shows ways to support the campaign.

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Who are SBS?

Southall Black Sisters, a not-for-profit organisation, was established in 1979 to meet the needs of black (Asian and African-Caribbean) women. Our aims are to highlight and challenge violence against women; empower them to gain more control over their lives; live without fear of violence; and assert their human rights to justice, equality and freedom. For more than two decades we have been at the forefront of challenging domestic and gender violence locally and nationally, and campaigning for the provision of support services to enable women and their children to escape violent relationships.

We manage a resource centre in West London that provides a comprehensive service to women experiencing violence and abuse. We offer specialist advice, information, casework, advocacy, counselling and self-help support services in several community languages. We are managed by a group of women with long experience of women’s struggles and commitment to women’s rights.

www.southallblacksisters.org.uk

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On 18th July 2008 at the High Court, Southall Black Sisters (SBS) won an important legal challenge affirming its right to exist and continue its work.

‘There is no dichotomy between funding specialist services and cohesion; equality is necessary for cohesion to be achieved.’ Lord Justice Moses

On 18 July at the High Court, in a dramatic turn of events, Ealing Council withdrew their case after one and a half days of a hearing which saw their defence rapidly unravelling. From the outset, it became apparent to the presiding judge, Lord Justice Moses and to all those present in the courtroom including the packed public gallery, that Ealing Council was skating on really thin ice in attempting to justify its decision to cut funding to SBS and to commission instead one generic borough wide service on domestic violence on the grounds of ‘equality’ and ‘cohesion’.

When we began the process of challenging Ealing Council exactly one year ago, we were not sure where our journey would lead us. We received tremendous support from our users and many, many other individuals and organisations along the way. It is impossible to list everyone who supported us but we really would not have come this far without such encouragement and support. Above all, the support that we received reminded us of our responsibility in building a civil society based on the principles of justice, equality and humanity. We thank you all for making this victory possible.

read more at Southal Black Sisters website

And in Defending secular spaces, Pragna Patel writes the New Statesman:

In the rush to be tolerant or sensitive to religious difference, the space is created for the most reactionary and even fundamentalist religious leaders to take control. more…