Sistah Space charity founder Ngozi Headley-Fulani (left) and chief volunteer Rosanna Lewis (Picture: Susannah Ireland)

Black women are not reporting domestic abuse out of fear of being deported, a charity has warned.

Ngozi Headley-Fulani, who runs Sistah Space, an unfunded domestic violence charity in Hackney, says the Windrush scandal and recent reports of mass-deportations to the Caribbean are trapping women in violent and abusive relationships.

She said black women are ‘dying in mass numbers’ because of the government’s ‘hostile environment’ – a term coined by Theresa May in 2012 to describe the Home Office’s plan to crackdown on illegal immigration.

Ngozi, along with chief volunteer Rosanna Lewis, were given a remit by City Hall to look into why women of African and Caribbean heritage were underreporting domestic abuse.


Sistah Space provides specialist support to women of African and Caribbean heritage affected by domestic abuse (Picture: Susannah Ireland)

Speaking to Metro.co.uk, she said: ‘We’ve done a number of interviews and over 90% say the same thing. When they go to the police they’re either not taken seriously because as females we seem to be viewed as men – not fragile and in need of protection.



‘We’re not given the same response as our white and Asian counterparts. Also, we’re asked, “Where are your red marks?”.

‘But some of us have very dark skin. We don’t go red. It’s very clear we’re not listened to or understood. So there’s no point.

‘With the new Windrush scandal, our clients who weren’t reporting before, are even more mindful.

‘Those who perhaps might report, will not now. Even though they have British citizenship, you can’t be certain you will not be deported.’

She added: ‘What is also happening is that perpetrators, knowing they will not be reported, are having a field day.

‘We’ve seen a significant increase in the number of women coming to us because they are not going to anybody else.’

Rosanna and Ngozi warned African heritage women are being trapped in violent and abusive relationships (Picture: Susannah Ireland)

Deputy Mayor for policing and crime, Sophie Linden, said Sistah Space’s findings are ‘deeply disturbing’.

She said: ‘It’s simply not right that women in London are backed into staying in an abusive relationship and their lives put at risk.’

The Labour politician called on the Home Office to take this issue seriously and ensure victims can access support ‘irrespective of their immigration status’.

The Metropolitan Police told Metro.co.uk they take all forms of domestic crime very seriously and are committed to safeguarding vulnerable people at risk of violence.

Ngozi set up Sistah Space after the horrific murder of Valerie Forde and her 22-month-old baby in 2014.

Valerie reported her ex-partner Roland McKoy to the police after he threatened to burn her house down with them inside, but it was put down as a ‘threat to property’.

McKoy then attacked Valerie with a machete and hammer and slit their daughter’s throat.

Sistah Space was founded in 2015 after the brutal murder of Valerie Forde in Hackney (Picture: Susannah Ireland)

A police watchdog found the Met dealt very poorly with McKoy’s threat. Two detective sergeants were later guilty of misconduct and given written warnings.

Ngozi attended every day of the court case and met the Forde family, where they realised how there was no dedicated safe space for African and Caribbean heritage women.

She said: ‘Most of the violence against women and girls (VAWG) services do not understand African heritage experience.

‘If you look on most of their websites, you will not see ourselves at all. You will see images of white and Asian women, but very rarely, if ever, see black women. The Rastafarian image just doesn’t exist online.



‘Why is this relevant? There are organisations that support Jewish women going through domestic abuse. There’s groups for Asian women and many others too.

‘When it comes to black women, we’re supposed to be seen by everybody else.

Ngozi and Rosanna rely on donations to keep their specialist operation going (Picture: Susannah Ireland)

‘But we’re the ones who are most different to everyone else in most regards. Nobody has hair like ours, nobody has skin like ours.

‘So when you send us to refuges far out where people don’t understand us. They stare at us.’

‘Mainstream organisations do not understand us, so do not cater for us,’ she added.

‘When you don’t see yourself reflected on websites and television, how will you feel encourage to report abuse?’

A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘These are devastating crimes and the Government believes that police should treat everyone reporting incidents of domestic abuse as victims first.

‘There are a range of reasons why victims of domestic abuse may be reluctant to report that abuse, and we are bringing forward our landmark Domestic Abuse Bill at the earliest opportunity to improve protection and support for vulnerable people and help bring perpetrators to justice.’

Sistah Space is run by a small team of volunteers and depends on donations to keep their 24-hour service going.

You can donate to Sistah Space on their fundraising page.

The Metropolitan Police's statement on domestic violence Domestic abuse crimes affect people from all walks of life and deeply impacting victims and their families. These appalling crimes are perpetrated by people who are supposed to be close to the victims, for whom the emotional and psychological trauma often endures long-term. The Met takes all forms of domestic crime very seriously and we are committed to safeguarding people who are vulnerable and at risk of violence. Domestic abuse is an under-reported, largely “hidden” crime type, and we encourage victims of these crimes to come forward and report the offending to police. Our long-term focus is to reduce repeat victimisations, and reduce the harm inflicted on victims. Due to the interpersonal nature of the crimes, domestic abuse investigations are often complicated and have to be handled sensitively. No two cases are the same. As with every case across all crime types, cases need to meet the evidential test in order for the Crown Prosecution Service to bring a prosecution. Even in cases where a suspect is identified, for example, there may be other barriers to progressing an investigation. These may relate to evidential issues, or other information received as part of the investigation, or consideration about the public interest in prosecuting the case in light of other factors. However, the Met will always seek to bring perpetrators to justice where possible. The Met is working to improve sanction detection rates through proactive arrest operations, and by improving the initial and follow-up responses. In addition to seeking criminal sanctions, investigators also use tools such as Domestic Violence Protection Orders, which can be used to prohibit the perpetrator from actions such as contacting the victim or going to their address for a period of time. Domestic abuse investigators work closely with independent domestic violence advisors (IDVAs) and specialist domestic support agencies. All boroughs have violence against women and children strategies in place and commission local services that can be accessed by women with insecure immigration status for support. Through our IDVAs we ensure victims of domestic abuse are able to access the help and support they need. The Met is committed to reducing the number of people in the capital who are victims of violence. This cannot be achieved through enforcement alone, and we work closely with partners to identify ways to prevent violence and criminal behaviour.

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