Women’s Aid responds to new BBC Investigation into corrupt immigration advisers

Nikki Bradley, Director of Delivery at Women’s Aid said: 

“The sad reality is that many migrant survivors who are experiencing abuse are too scared about deportation to seek help or to call the police. Too often, perpetrators of domestic abuse weaponise their partners’ insecure immigration status to frighten them away from trying to get the help they need. This can have fatal consequences. The Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession (MVDAC) and Domestic Violence Indefinite Leave to Remain (DVILR) route provides vital support to survivors of domestic abuse, who are too often excluded from support. Women’s Aid’s Annual Audit highlights that just 11.5% of refuge vacancies could consider accommodating a woman with no recourse to public funds. Provisions to ensure women have their migration status considered within the context of domestic abuse they are experiencing are therefore essential and life-saving. We are disgusted to hear that corrupt advisers are attempting to abuse such provisions and stand with every migrant victim who needs help to escape abuse.”