Information for Refugees and Migrants

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Women 

Immigration Status and Asylum Claims

If you are a woman refugee or asylum seeker you may find that you need advice and information about: 

• claiming asylum around issues that affect women 
• becoming a principal asylum seeker in your own right (and not as a dependent on your husband) 
• your immigration status

The advice organisations in Section 4 - Getting Advice, should be able to help with this also. You may also get specialist advice from Asylum Aid.

Accommodation Issues

All asylum seekers and refugees are entitled to adequate and safe accommodation. If, as a woman, you do not feel safe in the accommodation that you have been given, get in touch with your accommodation provider. See Section 7 - Your Home.

Sexual Harassment and Assault

Sexual harassment includes unwelcome attention such as sexual remarks, looks and advances to another person. This is illegal in the UK .

• Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual act or attack by anyone - this includes people who are known to you and relatives. 
• A sexual assault can include rape, this is where somebody forces you to engage in a sexual act.
• Sexual assaults should be reported to the police. 
• You can report sexual assaults through Refugee Action which is a registered centre. 
• Your asylum claim will not be affected if you report a sexual assault. 
• There are also special organisations, which can give advice and counselling to victims of sexual assault. 
• Victim Support can provide emotional and practical support
• St. Mary's Centre offers high quality, services to males and females in Greater Manchester who have experienced rape or sexual assault, and to their supporters.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is the abuse of one person within a personal relationship by another. It is an act or actions that force you to alter your behaviour. If you live in fear of how your family may react to your behaviour, you may be experiencing domestic violence.

The violence can be physical, emotional, psychological, financial or sexual. For example not letting you have food or money or stopping you from going out of the home alone. Please see Section 2 - In Case of Emergency.

Men

The Manchester City Council website has information on men's health and fatherhood.

Social and Emotional Support

If you feel lonely or isolated, or you need support to deal with difficult emotions, there are organisations that provide social opportunities and information on further services such as talking to a specialist. Please call anytime 0161 234 5001.

There are also a number of drop-ins where you could go. Drop-ins are run by organisations who help refugees, asylum seekers and migrant workers; they are generally friendly, safe, welcoming and understanding of your situation.

More information on drop-ins is available on the Refugee and Migrants Forum Directory website.

Parents

The Directgov website has a large section with valuable information about being a parent and your child's needs including a safety at home section.

Support for Young Children

There are a number of organisations and services, which provide support for parents and children.

Manchester City Council has a Manchester Families Information Service  that provides free, impartial information service for parents and carers of children and young people aged 0-19. Please telephone 0800 083 7921. The website also has a Children's Service Directory.

Every area should have a SureStart Children's Centre which provides support for parents of children under 5 years old including children's activities, trips, ESOL classes, advice, parenting classes, help with accessing maternity grants and so on. There is also a web page to help you locate your Children's Centre.

The Routes Project provides support for newly arriving families from overseas to help them to access services including health, education, housing, benefits, immigration advice, activities and more.

Child Safety

Children can be vulnerable in a new country where they are not used to the way people behave. So you should: 

• Try to take young children to and from school. 
• Always know where your children are. 
• Tell your children not to accept stranger's presents or go anywhere with them. 
• Never leave children under 11 alone at home. You may be prosecuted for neglect if the child is harmed. If you need to leave your home urgently and you are not able to take your children with you, ask a friend or a neighbour to look after the child for you.

Useful Websites: 

The thinkuknow website gives parents useful information about internet safety for children.

The Kidscape website provides important information for parents to help prevent bullying. Please phone 0845 120 5204.

The Child Accident Prevention Trust website has information about how to keep your child safe.

Children's Activities in Libraries

Manchester Libraries have many free activities for children and parents especially during the school holidays. Many local libraries run Homework Clubs for children 8 years and above, that help support children with their homework from school. Ask at your local library for more information.

Schools and Education

For information regarding schools and education please refer to Section 9 -Education and Learning 

Children

Staying Safe

The Childline website has great information about all kinds of issues that may be affecting your life. It also has a free (from a landline) and confidential helpline for you to phone 0800 1111.

If you suffer from bullying please look at the Bullying UK website or the Kidscape website.

The achance2talkwebsite is there for you if anything is making you unhappy or down. You can chat to advisors online - please check the times that they are available on the website.

The thinkuknow website is there to help you if you are feeling uncomfortable about someone you are chatting online to. Information is there for anyone from 5 years old to adult.

13 -19 Year Olds - Young people

The Directgov website has a very informative section covering many areas of interest to young people.

The Connexions Direct website has information for young people aged 13-19 years of age. It has information about:-

• Your Rights
• Money
• Careers
• Learning
• Health
• Free Time
• Travel
• Relationships
• Work
• Housing

It also has a free (from a landline) and confidential helpline. Please Call Connexions Direct on 080 800 13 2 19.

The Get Connected websiteand free phone helpline from 1.00 pm - 11.00pm everyday. Please phone 0808 808 4994 (from landline or mobile. This service is there to emotionally support you and help you make decisions about the services that can help you best.

The Site website has lots of information from handling exam stress to information on drugs and alcohol.

The Frank website has information about all kinds of drugs and can offer advice. Please phone free (from a landline) on 0800 77 66 00. This service is available in 120 languages, 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

The thinkuknow website is there to help you if you are feeling uncomfortable about someone you are chatting online to. Information is there for anyone from 11 upwards.