Immigrant Women & Domestic Abuse in Scotland: ‘A police response to women with an insecure immigration status experiencing domestic abuse’ Elaine McLaughlin BA LLB LLM 1

Immigrant Women & the Police 8 immigrant women interviewed from South Asian sub continent 2 aspects to the contact immigrant women had with the police (1) mistreatment & abuse endured within the extended family household 4 women contacted the police directly for help whilst living within the extended family home & taken to a place of safety 2 women received help from the police with the support of a third party whilst living within the extended family home & taken to a place of safety 1 woman contacted the police having fled the extended family home 1 woman contacted the police with the help of a third party after fleeing the extended family home (2) Assisted by the police whilst regulating their residency via immigration law 2

Police Response: Success Serious manner in which police attended Innovative non verbal communication method to ensure safety of one woman Certain women were removed to safety i.e. women’s aid refuge accommodation/homelessness accommodation Certain women were taken to women’s aid for practical support & assistance Personal attack alarms issued Emergency mobile phones issued Follow up support upon leaving abusive relationship supported women to collect personal items of property from the extended family household Providing a statement/incident number Sensitivity in relation to cultural background to ensure appropriate support in place 3

Challenges confronting the Police Multiple family members living within an extended family household Multiple perpetrators of abuse & mistreatment Identifying the perpetrator(s) Family members close rank Victim blaming by family members (counter allegations) Language Barriers Using a child to interpret where English is not the first language of an immigrant woman Implementing non verbal communication methods to ensure the safety of women (gesturing/signalling) Cultural capital Awareness of the diverse needs of immigrant women 1 woman told to return to extended family home on the advice of the police despite reporting domestic abuse ‘Go back home you have full right to live there’(Meena) 4

Barriers experienced by Immigrant Women preventing contact with police Dynamics of extended family household Insecure Immigration status Cultural difficulties Economically dependent upon husband & extended family due to no recourse to public funds Role of the police is misrepresented Lack of knowledge of legal protection Lack of information in relation to support agencies Role of the police is misrepresented Fear of arrest & deportation 5

Future Considerations: Gender based violence, Immigrant Women & the Police Women experienced physical, sexual, financial & emotional abuse Assaults perpetuated by husband & in laws singularly or in cumulo Prosecution of perpetrators of abuse within an extended family household where there are multiple perpetrators of abuse 6 women were taken to a place of safety by the police & provided statements to the police re domestic abuse – ‘ I was rescued’ (Aisha) None of the women were cited to attend court Corroboration – barrier to criminal justice ‘how could a lady call the police if she was trapped in the home, no access to the phone, then how can she call the police if there is no mechanism to call the police. Then somehow she gets to the police, the police demand evidence, how can she get evidence she needs two pieces of evidence for corroboration’ (Reena) Awareness raising/training police officers in cultural diversity of individuals living within Scottish society On call language telephone service with access to interpreters 6