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.

What's new

In April 2008: Southall Black Sisters still under threat of closure

SBS is currently facing the threat of closure as a result of our local authority’s (Ealing) decision to withdraw our funding as of April 2008.

The local authority’s decision is based on the view that there is no need for specialist services for black and minority women and that services to abused women in the borough need to be streamlined. This view fails to take account of the unequal social, economic and cultural context which makes it difficult, if not impossible, for black and minority women to access outside help or seek information about their rights.

In effect the council proposes to take away essential life saving services provided by SBS.

Demonstration for 1st April 2008 CANCELLED: We have had to cancel this demonstration because at the last minute, (28 March 2008) Ealing Council decided to postpone its decision about funding for domestic violence services in Ealing until May 2008. The Council is unable to decide as to which organisation to award the funding to! Although it is extremely unlikely that the grant will be awarded to SBS (we have made it clear that we need the funds to continue to meet the needs of black and minority women in Ealing), it does show that your support is making a difference. It is making it difficult for the Council to take decisions! This means that no decision will be made at the Council’s Cabinet Meeting on 1 April 2008 and SBS will be given an interim grant for a further two months.

At the end of May 2008, SBS will still be faced with the need to cut or severely reduce our services to black and minority women in Ealing. Your support is therefore still vital, especially as legal proceedings are still contemplated on the grounds that Ealing Council has acted unlawfully by not carrying out a proper race equality impact assessment.

We will now be planning a demonstration in May and will keep you posted about further developments including our legal challenge.

A big THANK YOU for all your support so far. Please continue your support.

Find out what you can do to help!

Picture Credit: Pickled Politics.com

In April 2008: No Recourse campaign update

ALERT: DAY OF ACTION – 23RD APRIL 2008

There is now less than a week to go until the Abolish No Recourse Day of Action on the 23rd April! Please put the date in your diary.

Taking Action:

The campaign resource pack is available here. The pack contains:

- A brief background on no recourse to public funds
- Details of the Day of Action
- Actions you can take, plus tips on meeting with and lobbying your MP.
- Case studies and examples of other organisations actions.
- Charities and campaigning.
- A template letter, press release and model resolution
- Fact sheet on the issues to help you campaign.
- Links to further resources and a list of affiliated individuals and groups.

On the Day:

The plan for the Day of Action is to assemble at 11.00am for a demonstration at 11.30-12.30 on the Embankment opposite Portcullis House, Westminster, London (nearest tube Westminster) we were not able to get permission to gather in Parliament Square. A big, bold and beautiful banner is being made by an Amnesty artist. Please wear black on the day.

The public meeting will begin at 1pm in Portcullis House, details of the speakers will follow shortly.

If you organising a coach party for the day of action on the 23rd, please make sure your coach company arranges a place to park, as this may need to be booked in advance!

Tell us about your actions!

See the How Can I Support Her? Domestic Violence, immigration and women with no recourse to public funds’ Resource Pack for comprehensive information for voluntary and community organisations supporting women with insecure immigration status who are experiencing domestic violence.

In February 2008: Marriage to Partners From Overseas – Border and Immigration Agency consultation (closed)

No doubt many of you were aware of the proposals contained in this consultation document on marriage to overseas partners. The deadline for the response was 27 February 2008 but you can still download the Southall Black Sisters letter outlining the main issues and SBS's position or the BIA Proforma for responses

See the Forced Marriage campaign section for more on this issue.

Kiranjit's was the first case in which Southall Black Sisters supported and campaigned on behalf of a battered woman who had killed her husband.

Now she has written her story of the case that has become legal history and paved the way for other women in Kiranjit's situation to win justice.

In February 2007: To register with the Home Office as an approved Domestic Violence organisation providing evidence under the Domestic Violence Immigration Rule complete the declaration form. Visit the services section to find out more and download the form.

In October 2006 we launched the 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.

In October 2006 we also launched the 'Campaign to abolish no recourse to public funds' leaflet. 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. Vist the campaigns section to find out more, or publications to download a the flyer.

In January 2006, our film Love, Honour and Disobey was published by Faction Films. Love, Honour and Disobey is essential viewing for anyone who wants to understand domestic violence within black and minority ethnic communities. It will be useful for training teachers, social workers, police, lawyers, health workers and any other professionals, refuges and women's groups.

On 25 November 2003, our book, From Homebreakers to Jailbreakers: Southall Black Sisters was published by Zed Press. This book sets out to map that terrain where race and gender make competing claims. It is written by SBS women and analyses the dilemmas we have faced in the last 24 years on a whole range of issues ranging from forced marriage to religious fundamentalism.

In December 2003 the Government introduced the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Bill. Although the Bill generally improves legal protection for victims of domestic violence it fails to address the needs of victims subject to immigration control who are trapped in abusive relationships, because they have no recourse to public funds. Southall Black Sisters has been lobbying for amendments to the Bill to enable these women to access benefits and emergency accommodation. You can support our campaign by writing to your M.P.