The fear of family disownment and community isolation means many Pakistani women do not report domestic abuse, according to campaigners. Separately, a book has been published highlighting how 21 Sikh women survived domestic abuse.
“[Domestic abuse] is a hidden pandemic. That’s why we have to support these woman in any way we can,” the BBC quoted a support worker in a specialist domestic violence unit at Green Lane Mosque in Birmingham as saying.
The service has seen 200 women since launching three years ago, with at least 70% being Pakistani. Records show up to half of users do not report the abuse to police for fear of losing their home, financial support and being isolated.
One victim-survivor said: “I suffered domestic abuse, starvation and mental abuse to the point that I could not take it anymore.” She did not report it. “I remember my mother saying ‘Don’t cut the rope, don’t cut the rope’, meaning don’t break this marriage up. It doesn’t matter what they do to you,” she said
The Green Lane Mosque offers financial support to women who need it and ensure all staff are trained about domestic abuse, including the imams who run sermons on the subject.
Separately, Sikh Women’s Aid has published Journey of Resilience which recounts the stories of 21 Sikh women who have escaped, or are still in, abusive relationships. Funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund, the book is intended to educate officials on the impact of abuse on Sikh-Punjabi women.
“The stories are heart breaking but, in most cases, they show the strength and resilience of Sikh-Panjabi women, who have overcome numerous challenges and continue to make significant contributions to our communities,” Sahdaish Pall, CEO of Sikh Women’s Aid, was quoted as saying by the Birmingham Live news website.
