We campaign for the implementation of safe-reporting mechanisms and an end to data-sharing policies when victims with insecure immigration status report abuse

Insecure immigration status is often a tool of control used by perpetrators to abuse their partners and threat them with deportation. This situation put migrant women in a vulnerable position: they fear the abuser and also fear asking for help.

The current lack of safe-reporting mechanisms creates a barrier for migrant women to flee violence and gives greater impunity to perpetrators. Imkaan’s Vital Statistics report shows that 92% of migrant women have reported threats of deportation from the perpetrator. Our Right to be Believed report shows similar statistics with almost 6 in 10 women having received threats of deportation from abusers.

The establishment of safe reporting mechanisms is an essential step forward to improve crime reporting both in the interest of the public and community safety, as well as greater access to justice for victims.

ALL women have the right to a life free from violence, regardless of their immigration status

#StepUpMigrantWomen is a campaign led by the Latin American Women’s Rights Service (LAWRS) and supported by more than 50 organisations standing together for migrant women’s rights

Latin American Women’s Rights Service (LAWRS) is a feminist organisation run by and for Latin American migrant women. LAWRS have over 35 years of experience supporting the practical and strategic needs of migrant women exposed to intersectional discrimination on the basis of gender, race and migration status, and to violations of their fundamental human rights. LAWRS support over 5,000 women every year through culturally and linguistically specialist advice, information, counselling and psychotherapy, advocacy, development programmes, and workshops.

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