Women from BAME communities.


Domestic abuse affects women from all ethnic groups, and there is no evidence to suggest that women from some ethnic or cultural communities are any more at risk than others. https://emilydavisoncentre.com/safe-4-all-county-wide-helpline/

However, the form the abuse takes may vary; in some communities, for example, domestic abuse may be perpetrated by extended family members, or it may include forced marriage, or female genital mutilation (FGM).

Whatever their experiences, women from Black, Asian or minority ethnic communities are likely to face additional barriers to receiving the help that they need.

If you are a Black, Asian or minority ethnic woman trying to escape from domestic abuse, your experiences may be compounded by racism, which is pervasive in the UK. You may be unwilling to seek help from statutory agencies (such as the police, social services, or housing authorities) because you are afraid of a racist response.

You may find that service providers are basing their responses on particular cultural, ethnic or religious stereotypes. In some cases, they may avoid intervening for fear of being perceived as racist. If your partner and abuser is Black, Asian or from another ethnic minority, you may wish to protect him or her (and the community) from police intervention due to your experiences of institutional racism.

Maybe you are escaping abuse from other members of your family (for example, your parents or parents-in-law) rather than, or as well as, your partner or husband. You may be afraid of rejection from your own community if you ask for help.

It may be particularly hard for you to admit to having problems with your marriage, and you may experience additional pressure from your extended family to stay with your partner. You may even have been forced or persuaded into marrying him in the first place. If your marriage fails, it may be seen as your fault, and you may be blamed for damaging the family honour; and you may be afraid that, if you leave your husband, you will be treated as an outcast within your community.

Getting help

If you have recently arrived in this country, or if your first language is not English, it may be much harder for you to understand the systems of support available or to access appropriate sources of help. You may be unaware of support services and not know where to go.

At HARV we have specialist BAME support workers who speak a number of community languages.

You can also visit our useful links page to find out more information on specialist services and helplines.

If your immigration status is insecure, or is dependent on your remaining with your husband or partner, you may feel trapped and believe there is nothing you can do, or you may be afraid to approach anyone for help in case you are deported.

Whatever your immigration status, you have a right to health care and to protection from the police. You also have the right to apply for a court order (injunction) to protect you from your abuser.

Specialist provision

You may prefer to get support from someone from the same ethnic, religious or cultural group as yourself. HARV have a specialist services for women from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

You may, however, be concerned that if workers at a local service come from the same community as yourself, they may also know your family, and it may be easier for your husband, partner or extended family to trace you. At HARV you have the choice whether to use a service specifically for Black, Asian or other minority ethnic women, or to use a general service.

Our accommodation based services can provide you with accommodation and support you even if, due to your immigration status, you have no right to live permanently in the UK or to claim welfare benefits (this is termed “no recourse to public funds”).

Forced marriage

If you fear you may be forced into marriage overseas, or know someone else who may be, the Forced Marriage Unit may be able to help. All calls and emails are dealt with on a totally confidential basis by skilled caseworkers who are fully aware of the cultural, social and emotional issues surrounding this abuse.

Please contact us at info@harvoutreach.org.uk or call us on 01254 879855

Specialist by and for Black and Minoritised ending VAWG agencies:

 London

  • African Women’s Care – 0208 969 8389
  • Asha Projects  – 020 8696 0023
  • Ashiana Network – 020 8539 0427
  • Asian Women’s Resource Centre – 020 8961 6549/ 5701
  • Claudia Jones Organisation –  020 7241 1646
  • Hopscotch – 0207 380 1019
  • IMECE Women’s Centre – 020 7354 1359
  • Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation (IKWRO) – 020 7920 6460
  • Jewish Women’s Aid – 020 8445 8060
  • Kiran Support Services – 020 8558 1986
  • Kurdish & Middle Eastern Women’s Organisation:
    • 020 7263 1027 (Islington)
    • 020 7708 0057 (Southwark)
    • 07748 851 125 (Mobile)
  • Latin American Women’s Aid – 020 7275 0321
  • Latin American Women’s Rights Service – 0808 145 4909
  • London Black Women’s Project – 020 8472 0528
  • Midaye Somali Development Network – 020 8969 7456
  • Niara – 07950994224
  • Rise Community Action – 07983 124 500

Ipswich – Suffolk – East Anglia

  • PHOEBE Centre – 01473 231566

Wales – Pan Wales

  • BAWSO – 0800 731 8147

East & West Midlands

  • Panahghar – Coventry & Leicester – 024 7622 8952
  • Roshni – Birmingham – 0800 953 9666
  • Sikh Women’s Aid – Wolverhampton – 0333 090 1220
  • Sikh Women’s Action Network – Sandwell:
    • 07930492467
    • 07525900648

Durham – North East

  • Diverse Women’s Network – 0191 386 4088  

Sunderland – North East

  • African Women’s Voices – 0191 686 9761

South Shields – North East

  • Apna Ghar Women’s Centre – 0191 456 4147
  • Sagini – 0191 4566039

Middlesborough – North Yorkshire – North East

  • Women Today – 01642 913025

Manchester – North West

  • Saheli – 0161 945 4187

Liverpool – North West

  • Amadudu Women’s Refuge – 0151 734 0083

Rochdale – Greater Manchester – North West

  • Rochdale Women’s Welfare Association – 01706 860157

Blackburn – Lancashire – North West

  • Humraaz – 01254 695800

Bradford – West Yorkshire

  • Anah Project – 08459 60 60 11

Rotherham – South Yorkshire

  • Apna Haq – 01709 519211

Sheffield – South Yorkshire

  • DEWA Project:
    • 0777 4093806
    • 0797 1128709

Edinburgh – Scotland

  • Shakti Women’s Aid – 0131 475 2399

Glasgow – Scotland

  • Hemat Gryffe Women’s Aid – 0141 353 0859
  • Ubuntu – 07570 877 817

Sexual Health

  • Naz – 020 8741 1879