Women and girls seeking asylum in the UK have alleged they were raped, sexually assaulted and harassed after being placed in mixed-sex Home Office accommodation, an Observer investigation has found.
In one case, a 14-year-old girl was allegedly groomed and raped after being separated from her mother at a hotel housing mostly single men in south-west England. The mother said she repeatedly raised concerns with staff but was told she could not move her children into her room, and was instructed to keep her door closed at night.
The alleged rape was discovered months later in October 2023 after the girl developed gynaecological problems. The mother claimed the Home Office's failings allowed a man to 'prey on' her daughter, describing lax security and frequent fights at the hotel.
In another case, a pregnant woman supported by Rape Crisis was housed in a mixed-sex hostel where single men drank and smoked, and she was often followed. A third woman, trafficked for sexual exploitation, was placed in a mixed hostel with drug users, which she described as 'the most scary seven months' of her life.
Rape Crisis chief executive Ciara Bergman called the failings a 'scandal', while human rights solicitor Sarah Collier said the Home Office often does little when complaints are raised by residents. The Home Office said it was 'extremely concerned' about the case of the 14-year-old and was investigating.
