Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to the finding in the report by Women for Refugee Women, We are still here, published on 1 November, that survivors of sexual and gender-based violence continue to be routinely held in immigration detention in apparent contravention of Home Office policy.

Home Office immigration policy operates with a presumption against detention. When people are detained, it is for the minimum time possible, and their dignity and welfare is of the utmost importance.

As part of its response to Stephen Shaw’s review of the welfare of vulnerable persons in immigration detention, the Government introduced the adults at risk in immigration detention policy, which came into force on 12 September 2016. The policy introduced a case-by-case evidence-based assessment of the appropriateness of detention for any individual who is considered vulnerable, balanced against the immigration control considerations that apply in their case. Having been a victim of sexual or gender based violence (including female genital mutilation) is expressly included as an indicator of risk for the purposes of the policy. This means that any such victim will be detained only when the immigration control considerations that apply in their case outweigh the risk factors. The policy is supported by the cross-cutting gatekeeper, which assesses vulnerability and provides challenge to decisions about who enters immigration detention, and scrutinises prospects and speed of removal.