Seeking Refuge? - Rights of Women

What happens if someone in my
family is violent to me?
Domestic violence and financial
support
Domestic violence affects one in four women in
the UK. The Government defines domestic
violence as:
“…any incident of threatening behaviour,
violence or abuse (psychological, physical,
sexual, financial or emotional) between
adults who are or have been in a
relationship together, or between family
members, regardless of gender or sexuality.”
This definition includes violence from family
members other than your partner, for example,
from your father-in-law, or from your son.
Almost all domestic violence is directed by men
against women, but domestic violence does
happen in same-sex relationships and, in some
cases, by women against men. Although we refer
here to the abuser as ‘he’, we understand that
this is not always the case.
Domestic violence is never acceptable. If you are
experiencing domestic violence, there are a
number of ways in which the law can protect you.
Contact Rights of Women or one of the other
specialist organisations whose details are given
below, and in Chapter 12.
Help for women experiencing
domestic violence
In an emergency, contact the police by dialling
999. The police may be able to protect you
from violence and / or arrest the person who is
harming you.
In addition to, or instead of, contacting the
police, you can seek protection from violence
from the courts, by getting an order against
your abuser. For further information about
your rights, contact Rights of Women for legal
advice (the number for our advice line is given
in Chapter 12).
For confidential advice and support, you can
contact the National Domestic Violence
Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit:
www.womensaid.org.uk
The UK Border Agency has a domestic violence
policy, Policy Bulletin 70 “Domestic Violence”,
which should be followed by all those who are
responsible for administering asylum support,
including the person who provides your
accommodation and your case-owner. Policy
Bulletin 70 refers to “NASS” but it applies to all
those who are involved in administering asylum
support.
Asylum Support Policy bulletins are
available to download from:
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/siteconte
nt/documents/policyandlaw/asylumsupp
ortbulletins/accesstosupport/
Other Policy Bulletins that may be useful
are:
• Policy bulletin 37 on maternity
payments
• Policy bulletin 78 on additional
payments for pregnant women and
women with children
Policy Bulletin 70 says that:
• If you report domestic violence to your
accommodation provider or the UK Border
Agency, your confidentiality should be
protected.
• Accommodation providers and One Stop
Services must have, and display, information
about domestic violence, and what you can do
to get support.
• The accommodation provider must maintain
emergency response arrangements that can
respond to the needs of women in crisis
situations. This means that you should be
assisted in an emergency, whatever the time, or
day of the week. This should include things like
taking you and any children you have to
alternative, safe accommodation if it is
necessary. The accommodation provider does
not need the UK Border Agency’s agreement to
do this, but they must inform the UK Border
Agency of what they have done as soon as
possible.
• If it is not possible to give you alternative
accommodation, or if you do not want it, you
should be referred to a women’s refuge and /
or your Local Authority for an assessment of
your needs.
• The UK Border Agency should pay the
reasonable costs of your and your children’s,
accommodation in a refuge.
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