The MP warns that domestic violence affects three out of every five women in prison or on probation.

In a Westminster Hall debate, Labour MP Kate Osamor will assert that Black, Asian, and other minority ethnic women and girls are overrepresented among victims who are imprisoned.

A Labour MP today warns that three out of every five women in prison and under community supervision by probation services are victims of domestic abuse.

In a Westminster Hall debate, Kate Osamor will assert that Black, Asian, and other minority ethnic women and girls are overrepresented among victims who end up in jail.

She will ask ministers to outline their strategies for addressing the issues of Black women’s disproportionate arrest rate compared to white women’s and the fact that a quarter of girls and nearly a fifth of young women who were prosecuted in 2021 were from minority ethnic groups.

Specialized charities are supporting the Labour MP’s debate, which calls for victims’ experiences to be considered in decisions to arrest, prosecute, convict, or sentence them for offenses related to abuse.

They contend that stronger defenses are required for domestic abuse victims who use force against their abuser or who are coerced into violating the law.

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They contend that stronger defenses are required for domestic abuse victims who use force against their abuser or who are coerced into violating the law.They demand “serious and urgent action,” including upgrades to police, prosecutor, judge, and magistrate training and direction.

“This debate is a real opportunity to draw attention to how many victims of domestic violence who as a result of their abuse themselves are accused of offending are unfairly drawn into the criminal justice system,” said Ms. Osamor, the MP for Edmonton.

I’m hoping to see a lot of other lawmakers at the debate to spread awareness and compel the government to implement changes to halt this unfair criminalization.

These women are overrepresented, let down, and have their needs disregarded at every level of the system. According to Agenda’s research, women are too frequently criminalized as a result of their trauma and abuse, but those who have experienced violence are not given due consideration by the law when they are charged with an offense, she said.

“Now is the time for serious and immediate action to ensure the fair treatment of Black, Asian, minority, and immigrant women who are victims of domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence.”

According to Ghadah Alnasseri, policy director at Hibiscus Initiatives, “Black, Asian, and minority women, as well as migrant women who have experienced violence against women and girls and are in contact with the criminal justice system, encounter gender inequality and racism all too frequently. But I’m confident that we can get past these obstacles.”

She added, “Despite making some progress, these issues have only been partially addressed. To significantly improve the outcomes for these women, a thorough strategic approach is required.