In a letter to Keir Starmer and Yvette Cooper, organisations including Rape Crisis England and Wales, the End Violence Against Women Coalition and Refuge called on ministers to stand up to the ‘dangerous narrative’
More than 100 women’s rights groups have warned “racist” attempts to link sexual violence with immigration are putting victims at increased risk.
Rape Crisis England and Wales, the End Violence Against Women Coalition and Refuge are among the organisations warning anti-migrant groups and politicans are “hijacking” survivors’ trauma. They have signed a letter to Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Coooper warning that sexual abuse must not be used for political gain – and those who spread misinformation must be held to account.
They pointed to demonstrations outside asylum hotels and comments by senior Reform and Tory figures, including Nigel Farage and Robert Jenrick. In a joint statement the groups wrote: “We have been alarmed in recent weeks by an increase in unfounded claims made by people in power, and repeated in the media, that hold particular groups as primarily responsible for sexual violence. This not only undermines genuine concerns about women’s safety but also reinforces the damaging myth that the greatest risk of gender-based violence comes from strangers.”
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They warn that hijacking the issue “ultimately impedes” efforts to tackle the root causes, and told the PM: “We write as organisations on the frontlines of combatting VAWG to urge the Government to address this dangerous narrative.”
In their statement, co-ordinated by End Violence Against Women Coalition, Women for Refugee Women, Hibiscus and Southall Black Sisters, the groups said linking sex offences with migration is a “racist diversion”.
They said violence against women and girls must be tackled with investment in prevention services and support for survivors, but state: ” Instead, the issue is being hijacked by people seeking to use women and girls’ pain and trauma – and the threat of it – for political gain.
“Over recent weeks, people claiming to care about the ‘safety of women and children’ have left families, women and children living in temporary asylum accommodation afraid to leave their front door.
“They follow in the footsteps of the rioters who used the appalling murder of three young girls as an excuse to bring violence to our streets; with targeted attacks against migrant, minoritised and Muslim communities.”
Last month it emerged that over 40% of 899 people arrested over last summer’s riots had previously been reported to police for domestic abuse. The statement said: “That two out of five of those arrested for that disorder themselves had police histories of domestic abuse illustrates not only the pervasiveness of gender-based violence but the disingenuous nature of many of those who claim to have the interests of women and children at heart.
“Meanwhile, members of Parliament freely share false statistics about the nationality of perpretators . Government ministers have even endorsed some of this summer’s demonstrators as having ‘legitimate’ concerns , which risks normalising and enabling the spreading of racist narratives by the far-right..”
Last month Mr Farage claimed there was an “alarming parallel” between reported rates and “wholly irresponsible immigration and asylum policies”. And Tory Mr Jenrick was criticised after saying 40% of all sex offences were committed by foreign nationals – with experts saying the numbers used to calculate the figure are not robust.
The women’s rights groups said: “Not only do these falsehoods fail to keep women safe, they serve as a racist distraction that actively impedes the urgent work of addressing gender-based violence.”
Their statement said “myths and misconceptions” about sexual violence allow perpetrators to “hide behind racial stereotypes and scapegoating”. And they also warn marginalised survivors are put at even greater risk.
They said: “We urge the Government to show leadership in responding to the weaponisation of VAWG, including changing its framing of migration, promoting an accurate picture of violence against women and girls, and holding those who spread misinformation to account.”
The groups point out that a women is killed by a partner or ex-partner every four day on average, and more than 90% of rape and sex assault are known to their victims. One in two rapes are committed by a partner or former partner, and one in three adult rape survivors are attacked in their own homes.
Women and girls who do not qualify for public funds are three times more likely to experience violence. Andrea Simon, director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW), said: “The far-right has long exploited the cause of ending violence against women and girls to promote a racist, white supremacist agenda.
“These attacks against migrant and racialised communities are appalling and do nothing to improve women and girls’ autonomy, rights and freedoms. What’s more, they ignore the reality that most violence against women and girls is perpetrated by someone known to them.”
And Dr Baljit Banga, chief executive of feminist support organisation Hibiscus, said: “The far right’s weaponisation of VAWG undermines efforts to safeguard victims and survivors.
“Moreover, targeting Black, minoritised, and migrant communities by distorting public debate and misinterpreting data only serves to exacerbate racial and social inequalities, to the detriment of women experiencing VAWG.”
And she added: “We refuse to let women’s safety be turned into hate speech.” A Reform spokesman responded: “Latest polling shows Reform has gained 14% among women, while Labour have lost 12%.”
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