Asian Women's Resource Centre Information

The AWRC tackles issues relating to abuse which includes domestic & sexual violence, forced marriages, honour based violence, and trafficking. The AWRC also addresses the many interrelated issues associated with violence such as homelessness, welfare benefits, child contact and immigration which includes support to women who have no recourse to public funds, students and over stayers. The AWRC is approached by women who are fleeing violent relationships, often in crisis situations, requiring immediate interventions. The AWRC is the only place that Asian women can receive culturally sensitive services in Brent. Practical and same language services, achievable options are provided to women so that they can make informed choices about their lives. We adhere to a non-judgemental approach and allow women to make their own choices. Whatever the avenue the woman chooses the centre strives to support women and their children. Over the years the AWRC has established strong links with other women’s centres, second tier organisations, refuges and hostels across London. We endeavour to ensure that women’s transition to a place of safety is undertaken safely, quickly and efficiently. Unfortunately, women who are subject to immigration controls and have no recourse to public funds find themselves at a greater disadvantage, in that they are unable to access mainstream services in terms of financial support and safe accommodation. This impacts largely upon the options and services that the AWRC is able to offer them. As a direct result of addressing this issue, the AWRC has set up an Immigration Legal Advice surgery so that women have direct access to high quality legal advice to enable them to make an application to the Home Office under the “domestic violence concession” through the advocacy support provided by the AWRC. The AWRC has also established a Family Law legal advice surgery for women to have direct access to solicitors who advise them on civil remedies to protect them from existing and potential abuse, legal advice concerning children and options around separation and divorce. The AWRC is specifically equipped to serve the needs of Asian women because of its cultural and religious understanding and ability to deliver empathetic support services. We currently offer support in five community languages: Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu. Furthermore our services are not restricted to Asian women; we have an “open door policy” towards all women in need.