Southall Black Sisters: In Emergency

Picture collage

RESEARCH & BRIEFINGS

WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
Who to contact in an emergency
What is Domestic Violence?
Leaving an abusive relationship
If you have immigration problems and are in an abusive relationship
If someone is threatening to take your child away from you or hurt your child
If you or someone you know is being forced into a marriage
Finding legal advisors

If you have immigration problems and are in an abusive relationship	printable page
Even if you do not have a permanent right to stay in the UK or British citizenship you have the right to call the Police for protection against violence and to apply for an injunction against your abusive partner. You should also go and see a G.P at the earliest opportunity to get treatment for any injuries, and to report any emotional or physical abuse you have received. However if your right to be in the UK is dependent upon you staying in your marriage or relationship you will need to seek immediate immigration legal advice. Southall Black Sisters may be able to help refer you to a solicitor or legal advisor if you have not managed to find someone. In order to help you your legal advisor will need to know the following information: When you came to the UK and how long you are allowed to stay in the UK. Why you came to the UK (e.g. to join your husband, as a student, domestic worker). If there are any conditions or restrictions upon you staying in the UK (e.g. that you must stay married or you must not work or claim benefits). If you have a passport it is very important you try and take this with you when you see the solicitor as most of the above information will be in your passport. Your legal advisor will advise you on what your immigration status is, what rights you have to stay in the UK and what steps if any you can take to remain in the UK, particularly if you are afraid to return to the country you came from.

Domestic violence rule If you came into the UK on a visa as the spouse or partner of someone who has a permanent right to stay in the UK. Your visa has not expired. Your relationship broke down due to domestic violence. And you can show that domestic violence has taken place against you by way of one of the following: criminal conviction, injunction order, criminal caution, or two or more of the following: undertaking from the person who is abusing you given to the court during injunction proceedings, letter from G.P/ hospital or medical records, letter from social services, letter from police, letter from a woman’s refuge. You may be able to stay in the UK under immigration law. We can initially advise you as to whether the Rule applies to you but you will need to find a legal advisor to confirm this and put an application in for you.

Financial support The rules as to what financial support people with immigration problems are entitled to, are complicated. If you cannot work and cannot claim benefits it may be difficult to find a refuge place. If you have children with you, you might be entitled to support and accommodation from Social Services but what you get will depend on your immigration status and the attitude of your local Social Services. We can give you initial advice on what you might be entitled to and try and find a refuge that will provide you with accommodation. If you live in Southall we can help you in ensuring that Social Services provide you with support and accommodation if you qualify for help.

Asylum seekers If you have claimed asylum you will be entitled to support and accommodation from NASS (National Asylum Support Service). If you are already an asylum seeker when the violence takes place NASS should pay for you to go to a refuge or other temporary accommodation and help you to move away from your abuser. If you are the dependant of an asylum seeker and your relationship has broken down due to violence you need to seek urgent legal advice on what you should do next. Links for websites giving practical and legal information on immigration, asylum, financial support and domestic violence: Asylum Aid or tel: 020 7377 5123. Refugee Council or tel: 020 7820 3000. Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants or tel: 020 7251 8706. Refugee Women’s Legal Group or tel: 020 7923 2412. See our Campaigns page for more information about our campaign to change the law around domestic violence and immigration control and for the right to benefits and other support for women whose relationships have broken down due to violence.

back to top