{"id":3437,"date":"2025-08-06T09:10:13","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T09:10:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sntnetwork.org.uk\/DV\/?page_id=3437"},"modified":"2026-10-12T12:59:20","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T12:59:20","slug":"abuse-by-immigration-status","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sntnetwork.org.uk\/DV\/abuse-by-immigration-status\/","title":{"rendered":"Abuse by Immigration Status"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Abuse by Immigration Status<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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No one should be abused because of their immigration status. You have rights\u2014and support is available.<\/b><\/p>

For many migrants, the fear of deportation, detention, or losing their immigration status can be used by abusers as a weapon of control. This form of abuse is deeply rooted in <\/span>power, fear, and isolation<\/b>\u2014but help is available, and <\/span>your safety matters<\/b> more than your immigration status.<\/span><\/p>

At <\/span>Rosa Women\u2019s Lives Matter<\/span><\/i>, we support women from all backgrounds, including those with insecure or temporary immigration status. <\/span>You are not alone\u2014and you do not need to suffer in silence.<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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What Is Immigration Abuse?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Immigration abuse is a form of <\/span>coercive control<\/b> where someone uses your immigration status, or threats around it, to frighten, control, or isolate you. This may come from a partner, family member, employer, or someone else in a position of power.<\/span><\/p>

Examples include:<\/b><\/p>

  • Threatening to report you to immigration authorities<\/span><\/li>
  • Confiscating or hiding your passport, visa, or legal documents<\/span><\/li>
  • Lying to you about your rights or visa status<\/span><\/li>
  • Telling you that seeking help will get you deported<\/span><\/li>
  • Controlling your access to services or legal advice<\/span><\/li>
  • Preventing you from working, studying, or attending appointments<\/span><\/li>
  • Using your lack of English or isolation to manipulate or exploit you<\/span><\/li>
  • Telling you that your children will be taken away<\/span><\/li>
  • Using sponsorship or visa dependency to trap you in the relationship<\/span><\/li><\/ul>

    \u201cHe kept saying, \u2018No one will help you\u2014they\u2019ll just send you back.\u2019 I believed him, until I found a support service that explained my rights. That was the beginning of my freedom.\u201d<\/span>
    <\/span>\u2014 <\/span>Sara, survivor on a spousal visa<\/span><\/i><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    The Impact of Immigration Abuse<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    Women facing abuse linked to their immigration status often experience:<\/span><\/p>

    • Intense fear of deportation or detention<\/span><\/li>
    • Isolation from community, services, or support<\/span><\/li>
    • Anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts<\/span><\/li>
    • Financial dependence and poverty<\/span><\/li>
    • Inability to seek help due to language barriers or misinformation<\/span><\/li>
    • Loss of confidence and sense of identity<\/span><\/li><\/ul>

      Abuse that exploits your immigration status is <\/span>still abuse<\/b>, and you <\/span>deserve protection<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      Your Rights in the UK<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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      You have <\/span>legal rights<\/b>, even if your immigration status is insecure or dependent on someone else.<\/span><\/p>

      • Domestic abuse is a crime<\/b>, regardless of your immigration status<\/span><\/li>
      • You may be eligible for legal aid or free immigration advice<\/span><\/li>
      • You can access <\/span>refuge accommodation<\/b> if you are fleeing abuse<\/span><\/li>
      • Some women on spousal visas can apply for a <\/span>Destitution Domestic Violence (DDV) concession<\/b><\/li>
      • If you are undocumented, you can still access support services <\/span>safely and confidentially<\/b><\/li><\/ul>

        We can help connect you to immigration solicitors, caseworkers, and support organisations who understand the complex needs of migrant women.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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        Are You at Immediate Risk?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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        If you are in immediate danger, call <\/span>999<\/b>. The police will prioritise your <\/span>safety<\/b> over immigration concerns.<\/span><\/p>

        If you cannot speak, press <\/span>55<\/b> when prompted on a silent 999 call.<\/span>
        <\/span>\ud83d\udcf1<\/span> You can also <\/span>text 999<\/b> if you’re deaf or unable to speak (register your phone first).<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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        How We Support Migrant and Refugee Women<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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        At <\/span>Rosa Women\u2019s Lives Matter<\/span><\/i>, we offer culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, and immigration-aware support, including:<\/span><\/p>

        • Help with accessing <\/span>safe housing and emergency refuge<\/b><\/li>
        • Referrals to <\/span>immigration solicitors and legal aid<\/b><\/li>
        • Emotional and mental health support<\/span><\/li>
        • Advocacy with local authorities, NHS, and Home Office<\/span><\/li>
        • Group and peer support in multiple languages<\/span><\/li>
        • Language interpretation where needed<\/span><\/li><\/ul>

          Whether you have a visa, are seeking asylum, or are undocumented\u2014<\/span>you have the right to live free from abuse<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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          Support for Organisations & Professionals<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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          We also offer:<\/span><\/p>

          • Training on immigration abuse and safeguarding migrant women<\/span><\/li>
          • Partnership work with community groups and law centres<\/span><\/li>
          • Guidance on the DDV concession, NRPF, and trauma-informed practice<\/span><\/li><\/ul>

            Let\u2019s ensure every woman\u2014<\/span>regardless of status<\/b>\u2014can reach safety and rebuild her life<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            Abuse by Immigration Status No one should be abused because of their immigration status. You have rights\u2014and support is available. For many migrants, the fear of deportation, detention, or losing their immigration status can be used by abusers as a weapon of control. This form of abuse is deeply rooted in power, fear, and isolation\u2014but […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3437","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sntnetwork.org.uk\/DV\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3437","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sntnetwork.org.uk\/DV\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sntnetwork.org.uk\/DV\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sntnetwork.org.uk\/DV\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sntnetwork.org.uk\/DV\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3437"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sntnetwork.org.uk\/DV\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3437\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sntnetwork.org.uk\/DV\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3437"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}