Thank you to Frances Ryan for shining a spotlight on the horrifying levels of destitution deliberately inflicted by the government on so many people in the UK, including through the “low level of benefits received by migrants” (Destitution by design is ruining lives – we need to end this disgrace, 7 June). Our Refuge from Rape and Destitution Campaign highlights the lesser-known impact of destitution on women asylum seekers: forced to rely on working for free as “domestics” or sex with men offering a bed for the night.

Over 100 women asylum seekers come to our women’s centre each fortnight and we work together to draw out the impact of the trauma and stigma of rape and other sexual violence; we challenge sexist judges when they refuse to abide by their own gender guidelines, and in doing have helped women win the right to asylum and safety in UK.

“Hostile environment” government policies mean women are forced into illegality to survive, are spied on by landlords and banks, detained and deported by being deliberately denied the right to appeal in the courts. The Windrush scandal has helped expose the pain and suffering of deportation. The groundswell of public outrage has strengthened their demand to be granted the immediate right to stay. Women asylum seekers fleeing rape and other torture, war and devastation, are demanding #UsToo.

Becky Titah and Sian Evans

Women Against Rape

• Vladimir Putin asks why women are only speaking out now about sexual harassment, and why people are turning it into a campaign when in “any civilised country” the courts and police should handle such cases (Putin suggests #MeToo movement is a media conspiracy, 7 June). Our response at ActionAid is simple: because there is a global justice deficit.

Deep-rooted gender inequality and social norms dictate that men are entitled to women’s bodies and that the legal system, same as most other systems, is on their side if they need it to be, so women – and girls – will not get justice for crimes committed against them. Of 2,500 women ActionAid surveyed from the UK, Brazil, India and South Africa, for example, nearly half had experienced sexual harassment. Of these, 68% did not report it to the police and 50% said this was because they believed it “would be pointless”.

A more unified legal system that improves access to justice for survivors of all forms of gender-based violence is badly needed globally. Women worldwide need to be given the confidence that their voices will be heard at every level. Then they may not have to resort to other means.

Jean McLean

Deputy director of media, campaigns and public engagement, ActionAid UK

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