Rochdale Supports 'No Recourse' No Safety Event (Rochdale Liberal Democrats)

Rochdale Liberal Democrats <info@rochdalelibdems.org.uk>

Rochdale Supports 'No Recourse' No Safety Event

November 12, 2009 12:00 AM

Smallbridge and Firgrove Councillor Jean Ashworth Rochdale MP Paul Rowen was joined in Parliament alongside a Rochdale delegation led by Councillor Jean Ashworth to support the ''No Recourse' No Safety Event run by Amnesty International.'

The campaign seeks to highlight the shocking fact that in the UK, some women in danger can't gain access to support and protection because of their immigration status.

Women in situations of domestic violence are not receiving help if they have 'insecure immigration status', which requires them to have 'no recourse to public funds'. This immigration status refers to spousal visas, work visas, student visas and other temporary visas. Women in this situation who face domestic violence or abuse cannot receive any help to escape their situation.

Mr Rowen, who was a guest speaker at the event, later met campaigners from his constituency and Jean Ashworth to talk about the problems local women in Rochdale suffer. Paul talked to representatives from Rochdale Women's Welfare, who told him that many women flee their homes and end up living on the streets as they have nowhere else to turn.

Paul Rowen MP said: "It's absolutely shocking that in the last year alone, 30 women in Rochdale have suffered because of this problem. We must act now to ensure that women who need protection from situations of violence receive our help and support. It is terrible to learn that some women are forced onto the streets as they have nowhere else to go. Today we spoke of assigning a dedicated female police officer as a point of contact for women in trouble, and I will be working with the council to involve Rochdale in the 'White Ribbon' campaign, which seeks to end violence against women."

Smallbridge and Firgrove Councillor Jean Ashworth added: "Rochdale is a diverse community and there are many women who have been affected by this horrendous situation. It is important that we ensure that they know that they have support and protection. They need to know that the people of Rochdale care for them and their welfare. The whole event was a massive success and I am looking forward to taking some of the ideas we picked up back to Rochdale."