We are deeply saddened at the news that a man died by suicide on the Bibby Stockholm Barge. We are however not surprised. This was as predictable as it was tragic.
Many survivors, who have already endured terrible exploitation and abuse, have struggled to get the secure status and support they need. However, new information about a Home Office secret policy and u-turn on previous commitments have shown just how bad the situation has got.
The government has been pushing the use of X-ray and MRI scans to find out the age of young people seeking asylum. NGOs and medical bodies have raised serious concerns that these so-called ‘scientific methods’ are not just inaccurate but potentially harmful.
Despite mounting opposition, the government remains determined to house people seeking asylum in large scale ‘accommodation centres’ on former military bases, causing significant harm to those who have already survived arduous journeys to reach the UK.
The vast majority of HBF clients struggle financially and are forced to live in severe financial – this evidence looks at the policies that contribute to this and what needs to change.
During 2022, the Helen Bamber Foundation Group supported more than 700 survivors of trafficking and torture and 870 vulnerable individuals with welfare advice. 69% of the survivors that had been provided with the Helen Bamber Foundation’s model of integrated care saw improvements in their wellbeing and mental health. We also grew our support of the wider sector by building partnerships and providing training to other organisations and statutory services, enabling them to deliver the trauma-focused care and high-quality representation that survivors need.
This submission examines current rates for asylum support and why these are insufficient to allow people seeking asylum to address their essential living needs.
Survivors of trafficking from countries such as Vietnam, Albania, Eritrea & China, are victims of crime. They have been exploited and mistreated. But our new report shows how, instead of providing support, the government is leaving them without the legal right to remain in the UK, at risk of harm and further exploitation.
As a coalition of 290 organisations we condemn the passage of the Illegal Migration Act, and stand in solidarity with all who will be affected.
The Home Office agreed to withdraw, review and revise its new policy that required a potential victim of trafficking to provide ‘objective’ evidence for their trafficking experiences in order to receive a first stage decision under the National Referral Mechanism (NRM).
The ‘Illegal Migration’ Bill (now an Act) will strip those fleeing war, persecution and human rights abuses of their right to seek safety this country. It will amount to an asylum ban on those who arrive irregularly and will prevent access to vital support for survivors of trafficking and modern slavery. It is a fundamental breach of a survivor’s right to seek sanctuary and protection.
This submission to the Home Affairs Committee outlines the systemic change required to reduce the risk of survivors of trafficking who have come to the UK from abroad being subject to further exploitation or re-trafficking.
