Asylum seekers arrive in the UK with the, not unreasonable, expectation that they'll be treated fairly and will be afforded the protection and shelter they need and are entitled to. Many have a sense of relief at knowing they are safe for the first time in years or ever. (...)

It soon becomes clear that the Home Office will do everything in their power to set insurmountable obstacles in their way. For LGBT cases the individual is expected to prove they are gay and this includes the most intrusive recorded interviews about sex, sexual acts, (...)

quite often raking over and exposing very painful instances of sexual violence and torture, 'corrective rapes', CSA etc. With little if any emotional support offered to the asylum seeker by the Home Office. The third sector normally get involved and find (...)

the individual re-traumatised and emotionally distraught at a time when they have little if any support from family or friends. All this at a time when they are expected to present a detailed, fact-perfect, evidenced and coherent case. (...)

Evidence from medical examinations often asked for by us can show significant evidence of torture and yet the Home Office will not accept they've been tortured despite significant physical as well as psychological trauma. (...)

I've been involved in cases where an asylum seeker was held down and raped because she is a lesbian. These 'corrective rapes' are carried out by men (often organised by family members) in order to 'correct' the woman into being heterosexual. (...)

The Home Office are notoriously difficult to placate and will insist on proof to show the rape took place and that it was conducted in the nature above. I've had clients having to recount their sexual encounters in significant detail only for the Home Office to... (...)

make a finding that they were not gay and would not be persecuted on return - or finding that the asylum seeker is indeed gay but could return home and "live discreetly so-as not to attract attention." (...)

I've had instances where in initial interviews, the Home Office repeatedly provide translators for the wrong language where translators could "get the gist" but detail was lacking. This lack of detail was then used against the asylum seeker in case review. (...)

I've had instances where in order for clients to be released from detention at AIT appeal stage, we've had to pull together over £500 in cash surety and deposit it with the tribunal. An option often unavailable to those without external assistance. (...)

Imagine going through all of the above and more, only to find yourself dumped in a social housing property in the middle of an area you don't know or have any support in. (...)

Being attacked and victimised for supposedly "skipping the housing queue" when your neighbours "knew someone who was due your flat". Being required to sign on at the Home Office regularly, not knowing if today will be the last day you... (...)

leave your flat to sign on before being detained. Not knowing if that noise you heard outside at 6 am is the Home Office ready to spring a dawn raid and take you into custody. (...)

The above is a tiny snippet but I would recommend you follow @Refugees, @scotrefcouncil, @refugeecouncil and @AntiRaids to learn more about the plight of asylum seekers and refugees. Lobby your MP for meaningful change to the UK immigration system!