My name is F*****. I was forced into an arranged marriage to A***** in 2006 in Iraq and I came to the UK on a spouse visa that same year. I have 3 children, 2 boys and 1girl. Since the beginning of my marriage my husband forced me to wear a hijab. My relationship with A***** has been volatile from the beginning. In 2010, the situation worsened when I decided to discard my hijab. He became excessively jealous and very stingy; he wasn’t paying for anything and was controlling my clothing, movements, friends, not letting me meet with anyone.
In 2013 when I was pregnant with my last child, he told me to go to Iraq to visit our families. The day of our return travel to the UK, A***** and his 2 brothers tore my sons from me and kicked me in my pregnant stomach. He left me in Iraq and returned with our sons to London. I gave birth to my daughter in Iraq and all his family were very upset because the new baby born was a girl. He didn’t want us to come back but I returned to London on my own to have an urgent operation. I left my new born daughter in Iraq due to a critical health problem. When I recovered, I travelled back to Iraq to get my daughter.
In 2016, A***** tried again to send me and my daughter to Iraq and when I refused, he physically abused me. I reported the incident to my GP and showed her my bruises; the GP contacted the police and the children’s social services. The police came and took us that night to my friend’s house and in the morning they moved us to a refuge. I refused to press charges against my husband because his family back home are backed by a powerful political party which was threatening to kill my brothers. A***** had advised his friends many times in my presence to take their wives back home and murder them whenever they complained about them, so I expected him to do the same to me.
In 2017, he conspired again to send me and my daughter to Iraq. I managed to report him to the police and left our passports at the police station. In August 2018, he managed to convince me to go back and I agreed because my father had had a heart attack. When we arrived to Iraq, he again abducted my boys and left me with my daughter. His plan was to kill me but I managed to flee and return to the UK with my daughter.
I started to seek help and advice. My friend advised me to get support from KMEWO and that’s when my life began to change. KMEWO’s advice worker gave me excellent support in my native language, helped me find a solicitor and apply for benefits. I was finally able to get my children back and feel safe.
Needs Identified:
- Risk assessment
- To complete safety planning
- To discuss abduction notice and access legal advice
- To discuss counselling in her native language
- To discuss her safe housing options
- To discuss financial benefits applications
Outcomes:
- Risk Assessment completed: High Risk result, referred to MARAC
- Planned for personal safety and support done
- Referred to family solicitor for an abduction notice on emergency base.
- Engaged with police for her security
- Assisted in applying for Universal Credit
- Linked with children’s school for update and support letter’s for the court
- Supported emotionally and her confidence grew