Protection of Borders or Protection of Women? Recently arrived immigrant women in the UK, violence and immigration policies

Abstract

The research explores female immigrants’ experiences of violence and exploitation in the UK. In doing so the focus is on three ‘groups’ of recently arrived immigrant women: spouses experiencing domestic violence, trafficked women, and asylum seekers. This focus allows an evaluation of current UK immigration legislation and it’s impact, if any, on ‘victims’ of violence. In order to accomplish this a feminist and human rights consciousness is utilised.
The research considers men’s use of violence and exploitation as a potential form of control to maintain power and keep women subordinate. This is undertaken within the context of state, law and media responses, and the extent to which they reflect men’s interests by ignoring abuse or blaming the victim, both of which serve to undermine the human rights of women in general and immigrant women in particular. The research demonstrates recently arrived immigrant women face multiple obstacles to accessing support and protection from the violence of others. These include language barriers, fear of repercussions, fear of authorities or lack of remedies available. The research considers the responses to situations these immigrant women experience.