Women 'trapped in cycle of abuse'

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More than 100 women and children in Northern Ireland are unable to escape violence because of their immigration status, a report has said.

Amnesty International and women's rights group Southall Black Sisters said victims were trapped in a cycle of abuse and could not get help.

It said those affected included international students, temporary workers and trafficked women and girls.

Amnesty has urged the NI Executive to provide accommodation for such women.

The report entitled No recourse, No safety revealed 72 women and 46 children in Northern Ireland were trapped in abusive situations as benefits rules prevented them running away.

Amnesty International's Patricia Campbell said: "This is an awful situation. Clearly this a problem in Northern Ireland where Women's Aid had to provide refuge for over 100 women and children in 2006 alone.

"The Northern Ireland Executive has a duty to ensure that all women under its jurisdiction have the same access to crisis or temporary accommodation and appropriate specialist services - regardless of their status."

'Exception'

Victims who have what the groups described as "vulnerable immigration status" are unable to get access to welfare or emergency refuge accommodation.

The report added that women are left with a "stark choice" of continuing to suffer abuse or becoming destitute.

Amnesty and Southall Black Sisters said the government should make exception to the immigration rules for women facing abuse.

They also called for an interim emergency fund to be set up.

Baroness Helena Kennedy, who is supporting the campaign, also urged action.

"There've been several cases where the police have been unable to pursue prosecutions against abusers, as they've been unable to find a safe refuge for women so that they can act as witnesses," she said.

"The government absolutely must make an exception to this rule."