Asian Women's Resource Centre celebrates 30th Anniversary
(24 February 2010)

The Asian Women's Resource Centre (AWRC) celebrated its 30th anniversary with a reception for 150 guests at the House of Commons that was hosted by Sarah Teather, MP for Brent East. The event celebrated the achievements of six women who have experienced violence and abuse, but with guidance and support from The AWRC now lead positive lives. The women were given recognition awards, presented by Maggie Darling, wife of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Based in the London Borough of Brent, The AWRC is a specialist women's organization, providing support to Black, Minority, Ethnic, and Refugee (BMER) women and children across London, in 7 different languages.

Award winner Bhairavi Tarkas said "I am delighted and grateful to receive this award. I was lucky to receive support, but many other women do not. I call on people in power to use their influence to support organisations like The AWRC." Host for the evening Sarah Teather MP for Brent East said "The Asian Women's Resource Centre is a critical lifeline for many women who have no other way of accessing the support they need. I am delighted to be highlighting their important work in the House of Commons."

Presenting the awards, Maggie Darling, wife of the Chancellor said "The Asian Women's Resource Centre and the work it does to support families in the community is truly inspiring."

Dawn Butler, MP for Brent South said "over the last 3 decades, your dedicated services to women have established you as a pillar within your community and you have been a beacon of hope for all the women that you support."

Baroness Helena Kennedy QC said "today celebrates the achievements of a charity that changes lives and has grown into the most extraordinary organisation. Such organisations only exist if we support them and if they can be properly resourced. In this time of recession it is important that issues concerning women and children's rights are not abandoned." This is a project that changes lives and the women who run it are truly inspirational."

About the Asian Women's Resource Centre (AWRC)

Established in 1980, the Asian Women's Resource Centre (AWRC) was the first of its kind in the UK, providing a free, confidential and non-judgmental service to women and children, through the provision of advice and information, counselling, advocacy, outreach and support services. Specifically, the AWRC works on issues around violence against women and children, including domestic violence, sexualized crimes, forced marriages, honour based violence and trafficking, leading a number of seminars on all of these topics. Typically, the AWRC supports 4 women every week fleeing domestic violence and advises up to 4500 women each year.

The Centre also tackles the challenges associated with abuse such as homelessness, welfare benefits, child contact and immigration, and supports women who have no recourse to public funds. It is the only organisation in the Brent area, where women can seek culturally and linguistically sensitive services. Practical and achievable options are provided to women, so that they can make informed choices about their lives and that of their children.

Patron of The AWRC, Pinky Lilani OBE says "The AWRC has literally saved the lives of hundreds of women over the years, who flee horrific situations. It offers a safe space, and crucially, enables these women to make informed choices about their own and their children's future."

The AWRC also provides a number of other services including legal advice surgeries, family planning services, crèche facilities, an annual summer play scheme, and training for professionals on issues which affect BMER women and children. It operates an open door policy and is accessed by a range of diverse communities including Arabic, European and African as well as Asian. The AWRC provides training to frontline staff from both voluntary and statutory sectors on domestic violence, so that they can be more responsive to the needs of BMER women. A training pack has been developed which includes national policy framework and best practice guidelines.

Currently, The AWRC is the lead agency of a Consortium of 5 partners, funded by London Councils, to deliver domestic violence services to women across the City. The AWRC is the only women's organisation in the country, to be empanelled by the Indian High Commission, to provide support to Indian women in the UK who have been deserted by their overseas spouses.

Useful Statistics (Source Women's Aid)

• From April 08 to March 2009, The AWRC supported 2473 BMER women in domestic violence situations through outreach, advocacy, counselling, a multi-lingual helpline, one to one and support services
• On average, The AWRC supports 4 women a week fleeing violent situations which require immediate crisis interventions
• 30 women were supported who had no recourse to public funds, out of which 20 were granted indefinite leave to remain under the dv concession, through the advocacy support offered by The Centre
• 57 women were supported who were subjected to forced marriages and honour based violence

Why The AWRC is so Necessary

• Asian women will go to 5-13 different agencies before they receive an adequate response
• Asian women are also three times more likely to commit suicide than the rest of the population
• A recent study of 8 specialist refuges demonstrated that a total of 251 women who had been referred had no recourse to public funds
• Other recent studies have shown that self harm and suicide rates are high for Asian women and there may be a link between self harm and forced marriage
• Sexism and racism play a significant factor in BMER women accessing services
• Women are also prevented from seeking help because of conflicting values, beliefs and differences in expectations between generations and gender regarding culture, religion, marriage, sexuality, family honour

For further information visit www.asianwomencentre.org.uk