She-Unity Support
We can overcome barriers together
There is a number of factors which stop BME women from communicating or seeking help. She-Unity Support is fighting to put an end to them.
These include:
Culture
Upbringing and cultural beliefs make it particularly hard for BME women to admit to having problems in their marriages and might also experience additional pressure from extended family to stay with their partners.
Shame
If a marriage fails, it may be seen as their fault, and may be blamed for damaging the family humour, and if they leave the husband, they can be treated as an outcast within their community.
Forced Marriage
Women might have been forced into arranged marriages or persuaded to marry the man they do not want.
Male violence
Violence as a tool to control women, which is a cause of gender inequality in the community.
Communication
Lack of communication skills could be a barrier; that is, failure to express themselves in English might lead them to keeping quiet while being abused.
Financial Issues
BME women might also fear destitution, if they are economically dependent on a partner or relative who is also their sponsor.
Racism
BME women who are trying to escape from domestic abuse are compounded by racism, which is pervasive in the UK. They may be unwilling to seek help from statutory agencies, such as the social services, police and housing associations/authorities because they are afraid of a racist response.
Religion
Culture and religion are often deployed to justify control, often with the support of the predominantly male community and faith leaders. Religion has increased pressure on BME women to conform to traditional gender roles and strengthened justifications for the use of violence to reduce transgressors (women speaking out against abuse).
Insecure Immigration
Status
The lack of clarity over their immigration status for non-UK nationals may prevent many from seeking help from the police and social services, for fear of being arrested and deported as their visa are depended on an abusive member.
Community
Rejection
If they are escaping abuse from extended families (in-laws/parents, partner/husband) they may be afraid of rejection from their own community if they ask for help.