Because of their gender, women are frequently subject to different forms of abuse such as rape and trafficking. Women face forms of persecution such as rape, sexual violence, forced sterilisation, genital mutilation and domestic violence (see also the women's section on this web site). Trafficking in people is the illegal but highly profitable transport and sale of human beings for exploiting their labour. Women and children are particularly vulnerable to trafficking where they may find themselves forced into the sex industry. Many women and children who have been trafficked may be frightened to speak out as their family may be at risk at home. In situations of war, women are frequently raped and this method of abuse is now starting to be recognised as a form of human rights abuse. While female asylum seekers may have the same experiences as men, some women may have experienced torture and rape, either by the state or by members of their own household/ family. Unfortunately, there is not a single agency for women asylum seekers who have been raped, but some rape counselling services can help.

The Refugee Women's Resource Project

This project assists individual women with their claims for protection against persecution, and used to raise awareness to influence officials and policy-makers to consider women's needs. The training and information provided by the project enables other advisers to assist women more effectively.

Link [Last update: 2006-01-16; 13:16]

Clinical management of rape survivors: Reproductive health for refugees

The consortium provides guidance to health care providers for medical management after rape of women, men, and children. This guide is designed to assist qualified health care providers (medical co-ordinators, medical doctors, clinical officers, midwives, and nurses) to develop protocols for the management of rape survivors, based on available resources, materials, drugs, and national policies and procedures. Managers and trainers of health care services can also benefit, as they may use the guide to plan for survivor care and train health care providers accordingly.

Link [Last update: 2006-01-16; 13:17]

Amnesty International

AI site has lots of information about the torture of women.

Link [Last update: 2006-01-16; 13:17]

Contact numbers of Rape Crisis around the country

Rape crisis support for women and men.

Link [Last update: 2006-01-16; 13:18]

Black Women's Rape Action: Asylum and Rape

Many women are too traumatised on arrival to give details of the rape and other torture they have suffered - especially to male immigration officers and in a language which is often not their own. When they do mention rape they meet disbelief, disrespect and/or outright hostility, and some women have even been thrown into detention for months - treated as criminals rather than victims. In most cases, the Home Office rejects their claim.. read more, see link below:

Link [Last update: 2006-01-16; 13:19]