Global Immigration And The Plight Of Vulnerable Women

The constant horror stories of women who are trafficked for the sex industry and the stories of the women who have fled to the UK to avoid persecution and rape in their own country provide a grim insight into the realities of life for many women from around the globe who are vulnerable.

Sadly for many of these women, their plight does not seemingly end when they reach the UK. A report by British newspaper The Guardian highlighted the continuing detention of sexually exploited women at Yarl's Wood Immigration Detention Centre. This is in breach of the Adults at Risk policy and in direct contravention of the Immigration Act. The act itself suggests that those "at risk" should not be detained and it is deemed that they are "at risk" if "they declare that they are suffering from a condition, or have experienced a traumatic event (such as trafficking, torture or sexual violence), that would be likely to render them particularly vulnerable to harm if they are placed in detention or remain in detention

those considering or reviewing detention are aware of medical or other professional evidence, or observational evidence, which indicates that an individual is suffering from a condition, or has experienced a traumatic event (such as trafficking, torture or sexual violence), that would be likely to render them particularly vulnerable to harm if they are placed in detention or remain in detention - whether or not the individual has highlighted this themselves".

The Guardian's article was based on a report by Women for Refugee Women a charity that focuses on the plight of female refugees. They interview 26 women all of whom had been detained after the guidance was produced. They had all come to the UK to seek asylum and most had been detained for over a month. This is in direct contravention of the law surrounding vulnerable women.

The use of immigration detention centres has a high profile in the UK. Many believe that a first world country such as the UK should not be using them and that they become de-facto prisons for people who need help and not detention. The government have also been criticised for the way these detention centres have been run by outsourced contractors due to a number of serious incidents. But there seems little movement or progress in the sector as the Home Office seems to be able to process applications quickly enough.

How we can help

If you need help with an immigration query then please get in touch. Our specialist immigration solicitors are ready to help with any and all queries relating to immigration.

We can help advocate for you if you have been detained illegally and can help to find a resolution to your current difficulties. To get started get in touch and we can begin to help with your case.