Cate Briddick addressing participants at the domestic violence trainees at UCS

Ipswich Member of Parliament, Mr. Ben Gummer officially opened a domestic violence conference held by the Zimbabwe Women’s Resource Centre entitled “Nowhere to run” on 24th October 2011.

The conference which was held at the University Campus Suffolk was attended by 50 professionals from Essex, Suffolk, Bedfordshire and Norfolk. Its main focus was raising awareness and providing professionals with information on how to support women domestic abuse survivors who have no recourse to public funds (NRPF).

The training was provided by Senior Legal Officer for Rights of Women Cate Briddick.

In his opening address, MP Gummer noted with concern the plight of these black and minority ethnic women, who are extremely vulnerable due to multiple barriers, such as language, financial situation as well as insecure immigration status.

He highlighted that he was keen to support all members of his constituency and urged the professionals to refer any cases needing support to him.

MP Ben Gummer addressing participants at the domestic violence trainees at UCS

Ben has subsequently raised some of the issues put to him in parliament, particularly on the status of asylum seekers suffering from domestic violence, where he has achieved important concessions from the government.

Ben said: “I was delighted to speak to the Zimbabwe Women’s Resource Centre’s important conference and hear about the challenges faced by such vulnerable people. This is a hidden problem that must be addressed.

The Zimbabwe Women’s Resource Centre (ZWRC), chairperson, Mrs Jackeline Machaira informed that their organization was receiving larger numbers of referrals each day, of women and children who had ‘nowhere to run’ to when they experienced violence.

The organisation decided to open some refuges in Ipswich and to support women and children with a safe place to shelter to address this problem.

Mrs Machaira said that women who have received help from their organisation were from all parts of Africa, India, Thailand, Philippians, The Caribbean islands , Turkey to name a few of the countries.

ZWRC is a registered charity in England and Wales (No 1135541) and is based in Ipswich. To volunteer or donate to help these women's & children's, please email us and call us at
Email - info@zimwrc.org.uk
Telephone - 01473 231566.