Imkaan, the second tier organisation for the Asian women's refuge sector, has published a briefing paper (PDF, 2.9MB) to highlight the detrimental impact of the government's commissioning policies on the BAMER (Black, Asian, minority ethnic and refugee) refuge sector.

The briefing paper follows on from a public meeting held at Westminster in January 2008 to highlight these issues for the BAMER refuge sector that helps BAMER women and children exit violence.

Losing vital services

Independent BAMER women's groups are crucial in helping women to access appropriate support and exit violence. They also have a significant impact on women's health, well-being and life opportunities.

The need for specialist services for BAMER women and children and the government's overemphasis on criminal justice interventions was acknowledged as part of the Home Affairs Committee Report, to which Imkaan submitted evidence earlier this year.

Without a change in the approach to local commissioning and a withdrawal of the cohesion policy, we are continuing to lose grassroots services to large, mainstream generic organisations with little understanding or experience of delivering services for women and children. We now only have half the number of specialist, independent, BAMER women-led organisations across the UK that existed five years ago. Few resources remain to fund crucial services such as outreach, advocacy, legal advice, work with children.

Sign an online petition

Imkaan has initiated an online petition to urge the government to review the policies which are decimating the sector.

Find out more

For more information on this campaign, contact policy@imkaan.org.uk or 020 7250 3933.