Imagine the courage it takes to flee from a life of fear and abuse. Now, imagine doing so in a foreign country, with two young children, no access to public funds, and no family to turn to for help. This is the reality faced by me, a single mother of two, bravely escaping domestic violence but now struggling to rebuild my life in the UK.
I moved to the UK with her husband on a spouse visa, hoping to build a better future. However, instead of the loving home I dreamed of, I found myself trapped in a cycle of abuse. Isolated from my family and friends, Sarah endured physical, emotional, and financial abuse, all while trying to protect my children from the horrors unfolding at home. The last straw was my partner trying to abduct my kids forcibly to take back to home country when I called the police.
Though free from my abuser, I now faces new challenges that are just as daunting since I was financially reliant on my spouse.
As a visa holder with “no recourse to public funds” (NRPF), I is ineligible for the financial assistance and housing support that most UK residents can access in times of need. This means that despite my desperate situation, I cannot apply for Universal Credit, housing benefits, legal aid or access most council-provided services.
The lack of access to these critical resources has left me and her children vulnerable. I sold my gold jeweller to put down the deposit for a house since every refuge I contacted refused to take me in. I am determined to build a stable, secure life for her children, but without financial support, my options are limited.
My visa status also prevents me from finding stable employment. While I am educated, qualified and eager to work, I face significant barriers due to my immigration status, childcare responsibilities, and the trauma I have endured.
Every donation, no matter the size, will make a difference in our lives. By contributing, you are not only helping me and my children escape the shadow of domestic violence but also giving us a chance to rebuild our lives with dignity and hope.