A powerful coalition of the UK's leading women's and refugee charities has issued a stark warning against the increasingly dangerous political rhetoric that falsely links asylum seekers and migrants to sexual abuse and violence against women.
The joint statement, a significant intervention in the national debate, condemns the weaponisation of women's safety to justify harsh immigration policies. It argues that such narratives are not only factually incorrect but also actively harmful, stoking social division and putting already vulnerable groups at further risk.
Debunking a Damaging Myth
The charities are pushing back against a persistent narrative that has gained traction in certain media and political circles. They stress that empirical evidence consistently shows the vast majority of sexual violence is perpetrated by individuals known to the victim within their own communities, not by foreign nationals or asylum seekers.
By promoting this false connection, the real and systemic causes of violence against women and girls are obscured, diverting attention and resources away from effective solutions.
The Call for Responsible Dialogue
The coalition's demands are clear:
- An immediate end to the use of inflammatory language that conflates immigration with sexual violence.
- A commitment to fact-based, evidence-led policymaking rather than policies driven by anecdote or prejudice.
- Greater investment in support services for all survivors of sexual violence, regardless of their background.
- Political leadership that focuses on tackling the root causes of violence against women at home.
The intervention highlights a growing concern that the toxic debate is undermining community cohesion and trust in public institutions, while doing nothing to address the genuine crisis in women's safety.
