This briefing looks at some of the problems experienced by HBF and Asylum Aid clients when their substantive asylum interview is conducted remotely. It makes recommendations for improving the interviews process so that it does not cause harm and people seeking asylum are able to make their own decision as to whether to have a remote interview or not.
The Ukrainian refugee crisis highlights the many issues associated with trauma, distress, mental and physical health, culturally competent assessments, and meaningful support and interventions. A comprehensive response to the Ukraine crisis must address the mental health and psychosocial challenges faced by refugees as well as those who are internally displaced.
Together with a number of UK based organisations working to prevent and end trafficking, HBF has made a submission to the Universal Periodic Review of the UK, carried out by the Human Rights Council. This submission focusses on the UK's record on upholding the rights of survivors of trafficking.
The human rights violation of human trafficking and modern slavery could be described as multiple and prolonged traumatisation. This corresponds to the type of trauma identified as most likely to be associated with ‘complex post-traumatic stress disorder’ (CPTSD) as identified in the new 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). This review aims to collate the evidence of complex post-traumatic stress disorder in populations that have been trafficked, with the intention to highlight important considerations to be made in terms of managing survivor's health care needs and minimising further traumatisation.
This article in the Forced Migration Review highlights evidence from medical assessments of the negative impact of the UK’s accommodation centres on the health of asylum seekers and calls for a trauma-informed approach to underpin the government’s future strategy in this area.
The government is seeking to replace the Human Rights Act with a Bill of Rights that would significantly reduce the protections afforded to certain groups, including refugees and survivors of trafficking. The government’s proposals will not only harm the most marginalised but will undermine the human rights protections available to us all.
The Nationality and Borders Bill seeks to change the UK asylum and trafficking systems in ways that will significantly curtail the rights of survivors and deny many the protection and support they need. It will increase the numbers of survivors at risk of exploitation and re-trafficking.
Part 4 of the Nationality and Borders Bill contains a wide range of changes to the current age assessment process. The Refugee and Migrant Children’s Consortium (RMCC), a coalition of over 60 organisations, has set out its concerns about the impact of these changes on young asylum seekers.
The Trauma Informed Code of Conduct will act as a professional guide for best-practice when working with survivors, and is written by Rachel Witkin and our Executive Director of Clinical and Counter-Trafficking, Katy Robjant.
Today sees the launch of the new edition of the OSCE ODIHR National Referral Mechanism Handbook and a new edition of the Helen Bamber Foundation’s Trauma Informed Code of Conduct.
This response to a consultation planning proposals for the continued use of Napier Barracks for people seeking asylum whilst their claims are being considered looks at the conditions in Napier, the welfare of residents and impact the community and whether extended use of the site is legitimate or desirable from a planning perspective.
This briefing, from the Taskforce on Victims of Trafficking in Immigration Detention, sets out why the Nationality and Borders Bill will only worsen the problem of survivors of trafficking being placed in immigration detention. It will drive victims underground, increase the numbers in detention and playing into the hands of exploiters.
