abuse and BAME communities.
Domestic abuse in the BAME community is a prevalent but may present differently to what we see in the UK. There are more reports of abuse being perpetrated by family members from minority communities.
The below are types of abuse we see unique to BAME communities:
Forced marriages
“Forced marriage is a marriage in which one or more of the parties is married without their consent or against their will. A marriage can also become a forced marriage even if both parties enter with full consent if one or both are later forced to stay in the marriage against their will.”
FMJ
“Female Genital Mutilation (often referred to as FGM) is a destructive operation, during which the female genitals are partly or entirely removed or injured with the aim of inhibiting a woman’s sexual feelings. Most often the mutilation is performed before puberty, often on girls between the age of four and eight, but recently it is increasingly performed on babies who are only a couple of days, weeks, or months old.”
Cultural barriers
Being forced to remain in the relationship due to cultural barriers and beliefs.
“Cultural beliefs can mean that those in abusive relationships feel compelled to stay due to fear of being rejected from by their family and or community”
Whilst we accept that there are additional barriers to accepting support, you have a right to live a life free from abuse, we can offer you confidential support and advice, in a place that is safe for you. We can help you to look at the options that are available to you, giving you full control of any decision, you need to make. We care about you and will work to reduce barrier to you accessing help.
Getting help
Language barrier – we have access to independent interpreters who will support you to access and understand the help you need.
Immigration status – whether you have a secure immigration status or insecure status AIM Northwest will offer you support. You have a right to be safe from abuse.
Cultural awareness – we offer advice, guidance, and support on cultural and religious differences between the UK and BAME countries in order to prevent and reduce offending behaviours.