Written question WQ89201

Migrant survivors fleeing violence and abuse experience particular challenges and hardship. We know that migrant victims of abuse are some of the most marginalised in society, and often face the most challenges in seeking help.

Having additional complexities such as no recourse to public funds conditions may cause those experiencing abuse to feel they have little or no choice but to stay in, or return to, dangerous and abusive situations.

For those who arrive in the UK without prior immigration permission, the passing of the Illegal Migration Act 2023 is likely to exacerbate this sense of being trapped in dangerous circumstances because these survivors will know that coming forward is likely to lead to removal from the UK.

It is also currently unclear whether survivors who arrive without prior immigration permission will be expected to share immigration detention with men. The details relating to how the detention estate will be increased to correspond with the Home Secretary’s duty to remove people from the UK are yet to be revealed.

Whilst immigration is not devolved, Wales is committed to being a Nation of Sanctuary. The Istanbul Convention requires that survivors of violence against women and girls can access protection irrespective of their immigration status. The UK Government’s decision to reserve article 59 denied migrant survivors this right to receive the support they need. This reservation makes it harder for us to become a genuine Nation of Sanctuary for these survivors.

In March of this year, I agreed to fund a pilot scheme in Wales to plug the gaps of existing provision for migrant victims in Wales. This is being delivered on our behalf by Bawso.

We will continue to explore these matters with the UK Government to safeguard migrant survivors of gender-based violence whilst they are living in Wales.