Some of the most vulnerable domestic abuse victims are being forced to stay with their abusers or face homelessness and destitution because they can’t access public funds to flee, according to a new report by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner.
The ‘Safety Before Status’ Report recognises the term “immigration abuse” which is being used by perpetrators as a way of exerting power and control over their partners and calls for it be included in the national definition of domestic abuse.
The report by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner draws on new research by the Angelou Centre as well as a review of Home Office evidence by the University of Suffolk. It also shares early findings from the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s work to map domestic abuse services in England and Wales, a task which was assigned to her through the Domestic Abuse Act. The report looks at barriers to support for the most vulnerable migrant victims of domestic abuse who have insecure immigration status and paves the way for change with a series of recommendations.
Read the full report.