New research has found almost all black
women in the UK don't believe they would
be treated fairly by authorities if they
reported domestic abuse. Now, findings
from the charity sister space showed 97%
of those surveyed didn't expect fair
treatment from police or social services
when coming forward as victims. Well,
Skye's Ashna Hurinag has spoken to a
survivor about her experience and a
warning. Ashner's report includes
references to suicide which you may find
distressing.
By the age of 13, Nefertiti had been
sexually assaulted twice. Years later,
she was then abused by a former partner.
We're concealing her identity as she
shares her experiences for the first
time. when I was 13. He's sitting in the
car and he's going for the gear stick,
but his hand is sliding up my thigh even
though you're pushing and you're
fighting. And it was like, "What is it
about me? Why do men think they have the
right to disrespect me?" It was really
hard and frustrating. I cried. I fought.
I lost respect. I just didn't care. One
time I did think of ending my life, but
then again, I thought to myself, "It's
not worth it."
>> She was choked into silence.
Not feeling able to speak out forced her
into the shadows.
>> I walked past the police station. I saw
police on the street and it was like I
hesitated. They're not going to believe
me. If we go to the police or local
authorities and we ask for help and they
turn us away, that's the kick in the
teeth. And that takes you down even
further into a deeper, darker
depression.
>> Unique challenges for those that look
like Nefriti. In England and Wales,
black women are more likely to
experience domestic abuse than any other
ethnic group with more than a third
affected. But according to the charity
Sister Space, 97% of women they surveyed
this summer who are victims of domestic
violence do not believe they would be
treated fairly by police if they
reported their experiences. It means 76%
of black women feel unable to speak up
or escape.
When silence feels safer than seeking
help, charities like this are often
their only safety net.
>> And although we're not a 24-hour service
essentially,
we just have to be.
>> Enoi runs the UK's only specialist
domestic abuse charity for black women,
and referrals are through the roof with
people wanting support from those that
look and feel like home. Because when
you've been stripped of your humanity,
the smallest things make the biggest
difference.
>> Our hair is different. If we don't use a
she or something like that, we'll
present ashy. So these things are
important to
>> identity.
>> Yes. And if you take that away from
them, you're aiding the abuse because
they've come for help and you're not
equipped to give it.
The domestic abuse commissioner believes
this specialized care is
underappreciated.
>> Those very services are the least likely
to receive funding uh at the local
level. So we really have to think um
really carefully about the kinds of
resource um that services need to have
that really bespoke response. But often
it is the specialist services who are
helping to really bridge those um those
gaps. That recognition acknowledged by
the National Police Chief's Council who
told us, "These figures are a stark
reminder of the deep mistrust many
communities have in our service. Work is
happening in forces such as involving
diverse communities in shaping public
protection strategies. However, more
needs to be done
and not just rely on a powerful few
standing by an entire sisterhood of
survivors. Ashna Harinag, Sky News.
>> Now, we do have a response from the home
office. They say they're working towards
their mission to harm violence against
women and girls within a decade. And as
part of our 13 million pound investment,
they say in a new national center for
public protection and violence against
women and girls, the center will conduct
a robust review of the range of risk
assessment tools used by forces. We will
also publish an ambitious
crossgovernment strategy to tackle
violence against women and girls and
drastically improve the systems for all
victims.
And if you've been affected by that
story, you can contact the Samaritans
anytime on 16123 or email joe
samaritans.org.