BAMER Support

You Are not Alone

We understand that people from BAMER communities who have experienced rape, sexual violence, or childhood sexual abuse may face specific fears and pressures, for example:

• Men and women can be forced into marriage against their will and can face threats of violence if they do not proceed.
• Women are sometimes subject to powerful traditional practices such as izzat (honour) and sharam (shame) and can be fearful of bringing shame on their family honour.
• Women can be expected to uphold the honour of the family and be a dutiful and obedient wife or daughter who accepts violence rather than leaving home.
• Survivors may fear being outcast by their extended family and wider community.
• Survivors may fear that they will be ignored, or that they will suffer further violence.
• Women are wrongly encouraged to blame themselves and their own behaviour for ‘provoking’ attacks upon them.
• Lack of confidentiality, even the perception of limited confidentiality, can prevent survivors from seeking help.
• LGBT survivors may have been subjected to ‘corrective rape.’
• Refugees may have experienced rape or fled an arranged marriage in their own country and be fearful of being forced to return there.
• There may be pressure to allow cutting/Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) on your children.

While traditional attitudes can be helpful, they can also be a barrier that can stop survivors who have been assaulted from accessing support. You do not need to report to the police or leave home to get support. Confidentiality is essential for people from BAMER communities to get support and help.

We want to ensure that anyone who wishes to access our service can do so and we can provide a translator for a limited number of counselling sessions. Our services are confidential and we are here to listen to and support you.