31 March 2022

Dear Colleague,

Consultation - Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence: Migrant Women

The Senedd’s Equality and Social Justice Committee is holding an inquiry into violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence (VAWDASV). As part of its initial consideration, and in recognition of the breadth of the topic, the Committee held a roundtable discussion with key stakeholders in order to inform its approach.

The discussion highlighted migrant women as a key neglected group, whose needs are not currently being properly met and who are likely to experience violence in a different way to other girls and women. As a result, the Committee agreed to undertake an initial, short inquiry with a focus on migrant women. The inquiry will explore which barriers migrant women face when trying to access services and what the Welsh Government could do to ensure migrant women are able to access services which are fully resourced and trained to deal with cultural norms and practices.

For this work, the Committee will be adopting a broad definition of ‘migrant women’ as it seeks a better understanding of the issues and how they relate to the terms of reference below. This definition includes (but is not necessarily limited to) those with permanent or temporary immigration status, refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants.

Invitation to contribute to the inquiry

The Committee would like to invite you to submit written evidence to assist in its consideration of the inquiry. In responding to the consultation, it would be helpful to have your comments in response to the terms of reference below:

 

·         Migrant women’s experiences of violence and the extent to which cultural norms and practices contributes to VAWDASV (e.g. FGM, forced marriage, honour-based’ abuse).

·         The scope and coverage of specialist services and interventions which are adequately resourced and trained to support survivors from migrant communities, including meeting cultural and linguistic needs.

·         Consideration of the barriers preventing migrant women and girls in Wales from accessing services and additional barriers faced by women with insecure immigration status, or whose immigration status is dependent on a spouse or employer or those who have No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).

·         Whether the Welsh Government could take any steps to mitigate the disproportionate impact UK immigration policy has on survivors in Wales and deliver its aspiration of Wales as a ‘Nation of Sanctuary’.

·         The effectiveness of awareness raising campaigns and whether these successfully target and raise awareness amongst migrant communities.

·         The Welsh Government’s approach to primary prevention and whether enough effort is being made to stop violence before it occurs by working with key grassroots community and faith groups as well as schools to challenge cultural norms and practices.

 

Submissions should arrive by Thursday 12 May 2022.

If you wish to submit evidence, please send an electronic copy of your submission to: SeneddEquality@Senedd.Wales

Guidance

Submissions should be no longer than five sides of A4, with numbered paragraphs, and should focus on the terms of reference.

If you are responding on behalf of an organisation, please provide a brief description of the role of your organisation.

Please see the guidance for those providing evidence for committees.

Bilingual Policy

The Committee welcomes contributions in both or either of our official languages, English and Welsh. Information not submitted bilingually will not be translated and will be published in the language of submission only. We expect organisations to implement their own standards and schemes and to comply with their statutory obligations.

How we use your information

We will usually publish correspondence or written evidence on our website. If you have responded in a personal capacity, your name will be published along with your contribution, unless you have asked for your contribution to be anonymised. If you have responded in a professional capacity, the published version of your response will include your name, your job title/role, if relevant, and the name of your organisation.

 

 

 

Contact details

If you wish to speak to someone regarding this consultation, please use the following contact details:

 

Committee Clerk

Equality and Social Justice Committee

Welsh Parliament

Cardiff Bay, CF99 1SN

Email: SeneddEquality@Senedd.Wales

Telephone: 0300 200 6565

 

Yours sincerely,

Jenny Rathbone MS

Chair of the Equality and Social Justice Committee

 

Croesewir gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg neu Saesneg.

We welcome correspondence in Welsh or English.