Providing support for black and minority ethnic women Dr. Ravi K. Thiara Centre for Safety and Well-Being University of Warwick

Presentation  Definitions  Continuing issues for BME women  Services – what works  Challenges

Definitions?  Who? –Asian, African, African-Caribbean, Chinese and smaller BME groups = 2.3 million  Asian and Asian British = 50%  Black – Caribbean, African, Other = 25%  Mixed = 15%  Chinese = 0.4%  Other = 0.4%

Definitions?…  Changing demographics and changing terminology as newer groups using services  BMER…..BAME  Where do Eastern European women fit?  Food for thought!

Continuing issues  No difference in prevalence but 59% of murders in London in  Differences in how BME women respond  Difference in how treated by services

Continuing issues…..  Access –low help-seeking & low awareness –general lack of targeted publicity –stereotyping and racism

Continuing issues….  17 contacts with agencies  Stay in abuse for longer  Experience severe abuse  Report higher levels of extreme isolation

Continuing issues….  Culturally specific forms of harm –Forced marriage – under-reported but 30-50% are under 16 –Honour based violence / crimes of dishonour –Female genital mutilation – possible 25,000 at risk

Continuing issues….  Immigration and ‘no recourse’  Mental health –Asian women under 30 are 2.5 times more likely to self-harm –More likely to be given prescription medication –1 in 4 attempted suicides because of abuse

Services  Different models – BME led; specialist within mainstream; RSL led  3 decades of BME led provision  Approx. 40 out of over 400

What works?  Specialist services Being in Asian refuges helps us have confidence to leave violent situations. But being in mixed refuge can make you feel uncomfortable and go back home to face the dangers again. Here we feel at home and that someone’s really listening to us.

What works?.....  Staff from similar backgrounds  ‘I had no options and am really thankful to them. No-one else had space especially because of no recourse. I don’t know what would have happened to me. I would have died either with them (abusive partner and family) or suicide’.  ‘I had racial harassment (in mainstream refuge), it is important to be understood and respected. I felt alone because the staff did not understand clearly what I have experienced, been through’.

What works?.....  Being with other women from similar backgrounds  Language support key to re-building lives  High levels of support over a longer period - ‘longer-term support from an advocate or support worker rather than short-term crisis intervention’ (2005)

What works?....  Outreach support – creative and flexible  Advocacy with other services –Addresses lack of co-ordination by services –Ensures multi-agency approach  What about children?  Specialist services and choice…..

Challenges  Despite recognition of specific needs and some positive strategic developments, front- line responses are patchy  Funding of services is a key challenge

Challenges….  Need to take broader long term view  Changing and complex needs require complex service responses