On May 8 2017, we held a seminar to explore the theme of gender-based violence and Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) women’s mental health.
The event was part of a series of seminars being funded by Trust for London as part of our Access to Safe Housing project improving access to refuges and accommodation for women facing multiple disadvantage. For this project we have been working with three specialist BME refuges whose staff identified a need to explore BME women’s experiences of mental ill health and of the mental health system. In particular in recognition that BME women’s needs and experiences are impacted by racism and discrimination.
The seminar brought together around 30 BME women from the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) sector, particularly from BME VAWG specialist services, to explore existing models, barriers, challenges, and solutions.
This briefing brings together the key points from the seminar. It is not intended as a definitive guide to the issues, but as a summary of the views and ideas put forward at the event.
With thanks to Asha Projects who helped with the organization of the seminar.
