Half of asylum-seeking women in Glasgow have been raped

May 30 2012 By Tristan Stewart-Robertson

HALF of asylum-seeking women in Glasgow have been raped in their home countries, according to a report.

The study by the Women For Refugee Women organisation found the vast majority of those claiming to have been raped had been refused asylum.

In total, 48 per cent of those questioned had experienced rape as part of the persecution they were fleeing.

And 56 per cent of women refused asylum in Britain said they had been leftto sleep rough.

Of those refused asylum, two-thirds were left destitute – with no support or housing – and more than half had thought about killing themselves.

Natasha Walter, director of Women For Refugee Women, said: “These findings suggest that every year hundreds of women who have survived rape and abuse are refused asylum and experience destitution, detention and despair in this country.

“We are asking the government to note the growing 
concern about this issue and reform the asylum process to make it more responsive to women’s needs.”

A spokesman for the UK Border Agency said: “We are proud to offer refuge to those who need it.
“But when we and the courts have found that applicants are not in need of asylum, then we expect them to go home.”