U.K. immigration system is harming survivors of sexual violence and modern slavery

Britain’s immigration system is a “public mental health concern” according to doctors from Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych). Saying the current system is inflicting harm on asylum seekers, the Guardian reports it is likely “re-traumatizing” people already affected by psychological distress. This includes victims of sexual violence and modern slavery.  

“Moral and ethical obligation” to protect mental health 

Asylum seekers are often fleeing war, rape, imprisonment and torture. They also faced violence, danger or exploitation and lost loved ones on the journey to escape. Women and children are especially vulnerable to exploitation, trafficking and modern slavery. Those experiences can be deeply traumatic and greatly increase the risk of mental illness. But according to a recent report, the treatment they receive on arrival seems to be making their lives worse, not better. 

In their report, RCPsych calls on ministers to review immigration laws introduced by the last government, saying: 

“The government has a moral and ethical obligation to ensure all immigration legislation explicitly protects and supports those with mental illness,”  

The report also criticizes conditions for migrants in the government’s asylum seeker hotels and “prison-like” detention facilities. Citing the physical and social isolation, sleep deprivation and surveillance of residents as factors that are “retraumatizing” to this already vulnerable population.  

Current system “compounds existing trauma” for women 

Women and girls seeking asylum often have sexual violence as a major factor for why they left their country of origin. But charities say the current system has re-traumatization baked in. Asylum seekers must go through interviews akin to interrogations. They must share mixed-sex accommodation, including bedrooms, with unrelated men. And the living conditions themselves are poor and lack support. Some women even reported facing further sexual violence and abuse while living in asylum accommodation. 

Ciara Bergman, the chief executive officer at Rape Crisis England and Wales (RCEW) said:  

“For anyone to be sexually assaulted, intimidated or exploited at any time in their life is a travesty, and for these experiences to then be repeated and compounded in a system which is both detaining and responsible for protecting them is a scandal.” 

Experts say the two report’s findings underline the urgent need for legislative reform. The new government had made some policy shifts, the bulk of recent harmful immigration legislation remains in place. Laws that criminalize those who do not arrive through established routes have created a more onerous asylum process. The RCEW report emphasizes the necessity of safe housing, comprehensive and specialist support services, and vigorous accountability measures as needed to keep women and girls seeking asylum from being retraumatized.  

Legislation guided by human kindness and compassion 

Current government policies are re-harming migrants, forcing vulnerable people into desperate circumstances and causing more trauma. That trauma leaves them more vulnerable to forced labor, sex trafficking and modern slavery.  

Dr Lade Smith, the RCPsych president said: 

“A robust immigration policy can still be guided by human kindness, that is fair and compassionate,” 

“The report sets out recommendations that, if adopted by policymakers, and implemented by mental health services and its clinicians, would mitigate some of the harms caused by the process of seeking asylum.” 

Freedom United stands with those like Dr. Smith, the RCPsych and RCEW in calling on the U.K. government, and governments everywhere to enact immigration policy reform. Hostile immigration policies only perpetuate and enable exploitation. Add your voice to take a stand for safe migration for all.