Read on Twitter
Today @SBSisters & @Liberty welcome findings from the first ever super-complaint upholding our concerns regarding the police practice of sharing migrant victims’ data with the HO for enforcement purposes. https://southallblacksisters.org.uk/press-releases/police-inspectorate-backs-call-for-law-change-to-protect-migrant-victims-and-witnesses-of-crime/
@HMICFRS @policeconduct @CollegeofPolice find that ‘significant harm is being caused to the public interest’ bc victims of crime are fearful of reporting abuse & recommends changes to law and policy to establish safe reporting mechanisms
@HMICFRS @policeconduct @CollegeofPolice recommend that chief constables ‘immediately stop’ sharing information on domestic abuse victims with the Home Office & instead refer victims to 3rd parties that provide advice & assistance.
The report is clear: sharing information on victims of domestic abuse with Immigration Enforcement undermines public interest and does not constitute safeguarding (this has long been claimed by those defending this harmful practice).
In the next 6 months, the Home Office is instructed to conduct a review to consider establishing a firewall between police & immigration enforcement for all migrant victims & witnesses in consultation w victim & survivor orgs
A shockingly recurring theme: There is no available data from either the HO or the police on the impact of data-sharing on criminal justice outcomes (or other aspects of ‘hostile environment’ policy). The HO cannot evidence that data sharing is not discriminatory.
This investigation is a momentous step in our ongoing struggle to establish #ProtectionForAll survivors in the UK & to abolish the ‘hostile/compliant environment’ which is inhumane, undemocratic and causes untold harm.
We must pay tribute to the tenacious work of @lawrsuk in leading the #StepUpMigrantWomen campaign on data sharing between all public authorities & support services for all migrant victims of abuse
@lawrsuk says “The decision sets critical & vital precedent in protection of all women’s human rights..it highlights the obligation that police have to prioritise any victim’s safety over immigration control. The impact of this outcome on our service users will be extraordinary”
A huge thanks to all the survivors and all the organisations who contributed to this work and who are united with us in the struggle against gender-based abuse & racial discrimination.
