Domestic abuse is defined as “any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence, or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality,” according to the UK government. It affects women of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, and there is evidence to show that people of minority background, particularly those from immigrant communities, are disproportionately affected by it.
BAME people suffer similar types of abuse to other ethnicities such as physical, sexual, psychological & financial abuse. They are also at risk of experiencing specific types of abuse including honour-based violence, forced marriage, or female genital mutilation (FGM).
Statistics:
As per the research, minority ethnic groups are disproportionately affected by domestic abuse due to long standing structural disparities. The data has shown how those disparities have become even more entrenched as a result of the pandemic, especially for individuals who cannot access public funds.
Also, research demonstrates that minority populations statistically have higher rates of domestic violence. Domestic violence rates in BAME groups were higher than those in white communities in 2018–2019, according to statistics from the Office for National Statistics (2019),
Challenges faced by BAME people in getting help:
BAME people may encounter significant challenges in getting the assistance they require. They have fear of receiving a racist response if they ask for assistance from statutory organisations (such the police, social services, or housing authority).
Their extended family may put more pressure on them to stay with their spouse, making it difficult for them to disclose they are having marital issues. If their marriage breaks down, they can be held responsible and accused of tarnishing the family name. They might also be concerned that if they leave their husband, their community will see them as an outcast.
Support Available:
Visit here to know the steps to escaping domestic violence. To get help for forced marriages, visit here. Women with No Recourse to Public Funds can get help here
