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It’s the last day of the #16Days 
and I want to tell a personal (and political) story about how gov’t policies exacerbate and compound domestic abuse.
In the late 90s, my mother married a British man (let’s call him ‘S’) and we moved from our home in Canada to the UK. (thread
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and I want to tell a personal (and political) story about how gov’t policies exacerbate and compound domestic abuse.In the late 90s, my mother married a British man (let’s call him ‘S’) and we moved from our home in Canada to the UK. (thread
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We moved without knowing anyone but S in the country. My mother’s visa restricted her ability to work and when she started a college course, S forced her to drop out. The physical, emotional, and economic abuse escalated alongside this type of control and isolation. (2)
This was a grim time for us both, but my mother hoped it would get better once she left. When S realised she would go through with a divorce, the nature of the abuse changed. (3)
My mom picked me up from school and we returned to find the whole house gutted. Everything was gone — furniture, clothing, documents, even the food in the fridge. As the divorce proceedings got underway, we were made homeless. (4)
Our immigration status was still linked to S and we has No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF), which meant the state was not obligated to house or help us. (5)
A Domestic Violence Rule now exists, providing one route for victims to remain in the UK - the fee for applying is currently £2,389 (!). Fee waivers do happen, but require support from social services or charities. Furthermore, the evidential threshold for abuse is very high. (6)
Refuges/women’s shelters cost money. And, while some laws have changed in the last 20 years, @womensaid reported that only 5.4% of shelter vacancies could accommodate women with NRPF last year. (7)
My mother faced so many other barriers. Her experience with the authorities did nothing more than confirm what S had told her: that she wouldn’t be believed; that she was ‘crazy’; and that she would be deported and lose the divorce settlement, or worse, lose her child. (8)
Benefits & immigration systems are deliberately abstruse, particularly for newcomers. Abusers also sow misinformation to cause fear and doubt. My mom was terrified of the Council, the courts, & social services, thinking I would be taken into foster care or placed with her ex. (9)
At the worst point, we had nothing, but she was grateful for the individuals who gave what they had to help us. We found temporary accommodation sleeping in an acquaintance’s conservatory (sun room if you’re N. American). (10)
We stayed in the UK through a drawn-out divorce process. The meagre settlement was enough money to buy flights to leave. While laws have moved in a positive direction, it has not been enough. We need #ProtectionForAll irrespective of immigration status. (And we need it NOW!) (11)
The #DomesticAbuseBill MUST recognise post-separation abuse, particularly economic abuse and harassment through the courts, which can devastate the victim and, in many cases, her children. The effects of this kind of abuse rob people of years of opportunity and wellbeing. (12)
Finally, at Xmas, pls support your local frontline services. In Canada, my mom & I were supported by @BryonyHouse, @dressforsuccess, @feednovascotia. The @salvationarmy furnished our first flat & made sure I had gifts under the tree. It takes a village, & I am so grateful
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