Support for Migrant Victims Scheme

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Call us for help on 020 8571 9595 or email [email protected] In an emergency, dial 999

The scheme and eligibility

This Support for Migrant Victims (SMV) pilot scheme is now open for referrals. It will provide support to up to 500 migrant victims of domestic and other forms of gender-related abuse (and their children) who are subject to the No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) Rule.

Priority will be given to those survivors who do not currently have an established route to financial support although in some exceptional circumstances bridging support will be available to those who are otherwise eligible for the DDVC concession, asylum support, local authority or other state assistance.

 

Referral pathways

The SMV scheme will only accept referrals from third sector agencies, local authorities and statutory bodies via the following referral pathways:

  • For referrals in Northern Ireland, contact Foyle Women’s Aid Northern Ireland at [email protected]. Alternately they can be contacted via telephone at (028) 7141 6800
  • For referrals in Wales, please contact BAWSO via helpline on 080 0731 8147
  • For referrals in Scotland, contact Shakti Women’s Aid at [email protected]. Alternately they can be contacted on 0131 475 2399 or through their website https://shaktiedinburgh.co.uk/
  • For referrals in the North East, Yorkshire and Humberside, and East Midlands, contact Ashiana, Sheffield on 0114 255 5740. Alternately, you could send a referral request via email to [email protected]
  • For referrals in Birmingham and Solihull, contact Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid via helpline on 080 8800 0028
  • For referrals in London and the South of England, please contact Southall Black Sisters via helpline on 020 8571 0800. Alternatively, please go to our FAQS or download the application package.

What support is provided under the SMV?

  • Safe accommodation for up to 12 weeks. There will also be discretion to award an additional 4 weeks of funds in exceptional cases of hardship.
  • Weekly subsistence payments calculated in line with the current rate of support for asylum seekers.
  • IDVA support and other appropriate befriending and welfare assistance service to improve safety and well-being outcomes for survivors.
  • Signposting to qualified immigration law practitioners to provide advice and representation on settlement options.

Agencies seeking to refer a migrant survivor to the SMV scheme must complete an assessment form to confirm that the survivor has experienced domestic abuse or other forms of harm, is destitute and subject to the NRPF Rule. The referral agency will also have to complete an evaluation form and comply with other monitoring requirements as a pre-requisite for receiving the funding.

If you would like to talk to someone to discuss eligibility or obtain more details or clarification about the SMV scheme, please contact the fund administrator at [email protected]

Change the lives of women today.

LINKS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Women’s Aid Website

The Survivor’s Handbook: Print and Audio Versions
Making arrangements for children after separation: the role of the family courts.

Rights of Women

Rights of Women have fact sheets on residence, contact and parental responsibility that can be downloaded for free from their website.
Women lawyers provide advice on 020 7251 6577 (telephone) or 020 7490 2562 (textphone) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm and Fridays, 12 noon – 2:00 pm.

Reunite

Reunite runs a 24-hour emergency service for international child abduction cases.

Their advice line on 0116 2556 234 is open Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 5:00 pm or for information see their website.

The Reunite Child Abduction Prevention Guide provides clear and concise information and practical steps to take if you fear your child is in danger of abduction.

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