New animation reassures female abuse victims they are not alone
Female migrants may not be aware but they are immediately protected by law from abuse and exploitation as soon as they set foot in Scotland.
Immigrant women from Asian, Black, and Minority Ethnic communities have told support services that their abusers control them through threats of deportation or that their children will be taken from them, if they report their abuse to the police.
Women from minority ethnic and seldom heard communities, including women who may be refugees or recently migrated to Scotland, can be especially vulnerable to threats of exploitation and abuse.
They may be isolated by their abuser, they may not speak English and they may be reliant on their abuser as their intermediary. And we know abusers use threats to exert control.
A new animation launched today by Hemat Gryffe Women’s Aid in association with Police Scotland, provides reassurance to all victims of domestic abuse and sexual exploitation that they are protected by law and have the right to help and support from the police service.
This resource encourages women and girls who experience violence, abuse and exploitation, and those who think they may be at risk, to tell police officers who will be able to help.
Launching the new resource, Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone, said: “We know people’s experiences of policing can be very different around the world.
“Police Scotland wants to ensure women, including those from minority ethnic and seldom heard communities, have confidence to come forward, knowing we will respond professionally to keep them safe and uphold their human rights.
“This new initiative to encourage women to come forward to report abuse is an important development, providing accessible assurance across many languages that our officers will treat women with the dignity and respect they need and deserve. I am extremely grateful to Hemat Gryffe Women’s Aid for their support in this vital message.”
The video, developed by Hemat Gryffe Women’s Aid will be available in nine languages including Ukrainian. And it will be available to access by all public services in Scotland.
Dr Elaine McLaughlin, Hemat Gryffe Women’s Aid, said:
“The significance of this unique and original animation, which is multi-lingual, reflects a determination on the part of Police Scotland to never forget women who encounter abuse in all its devious and insidious fashions.
“It illustrates their determination to challenge the cancer of abuse within Scottish society. It conveys the message that in pursuit of that determination they shall refine and adapt constantly their efforts to take account of and respect entirely cultural considerations employed by perpetrators as weapons of control in furtherance of their abuse.
“Women are informed they are not alone. Women are informed of their rights.
“It also educates bystanders that they should not ignore the difficulties endured by women experiencing domestic abuse, forced marriage and honour-based abuse and that they can with confidence call upon the resources of Police Scotland to protect these women.”
Hemat Gryffe Women’s Aid is an organisation which supports and offers protection to women from Asian, Black and Minority Ethnic communities who may be victims of violence, abuse and exploitation. More information can be found here
The animation was funded by University of Strathclyde, Funding Knowledge Exchange Programme and Hemat Gryffe Women’s Aid.
