We are here because . . .
. . . is an inspiring and moving collection of online video and other testimonies, filmed, recorded, edited and produced by Black/women of colour, who are service users and volunteers with Black Women’s Rape Action Project. The testimonies are the product of an invaluable process whereby women from different backgrounds worked together, developed technical skills, and learnt from each other.
The majority are members of the All African Women’s Group a self-help group of women asylum seekers. Most are mothers, some have been in detention, many have been separated from their children. All give deeply compelling and often painful accounts of what they have been, and still go through, to get protection and rebuild their lives.
Videos, audio recordings & transcripts
Yarl's Wood hunger strikers speak out . . .
Maria describing life in Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre, UK
and why she was detained [Video]
Verna Joseph speaks about the women's hunger strike
8 February - 19 March 2010 [Video]
Shelley, joined the hunger strike to protest
about being separated from her child [Video]
Interview with a Yarl’s Wood hunger striker who was released following widespread public protest [Transcript]
One of the hunger strikers who was deported, gives an account of the conditions while women were "kettled [Audio]
Verbal abuse from officers, described by a mother separated from her child [Audio]
Layla, detained for five months and again for six months
"most of us are badly represented" [Video]
Celine's asylum claim was "fast tracked" - she was detained twice, once
when six months pregnant, and again after giving birth [Video]
All African Women's Group's self-help work . . .
Maria describes the life-saving work
of the Group [Video]
Baby describes how her children were
taken away from her, and why . . . [Video]
Grace, whose baby was taken from her by
social services and given up for adoption . . . [Video]
Rwandan mother speaking to a class of young children at a Camden school in London during Refugee Week . . . with a young single mother from Lesotho [Audios]
Black Women's Rape Action Project - servcies users speak . . .
Michelle: "I’ve lived in the UK for almost nine years now. I’ve got my indefinite to remain in this country. I was sentenced to two years in prison for shop lifting which I did because I had to support my children and also because my husband is very abusive to me. I have two children that were born in this country . . . . " [Transcript]
Neisha: "I was in Yarl’s Wood for five months and I came out in December the 15th. I seek asylum cause I am a lesbian, and in my tribunal case, my partner came and she gave evidence and everything. I’ve given all my letters of support, all my evidence, and in my determination I was told that they didn’t believe that I was a lesbian, but the judge believed my partner . . ." [Video]
Lucy, defending herself and her children
from domestic, and other violence [Video]
All those interviewed confirm that the copyright for their interviews rests with BWRAP. We expect anyone who views the clips to respect each woman’s right to be consulted before her material is reproduced or circulated in any form other than sharing the “URL”. Please contact us to discuss any other uses. We encourage private/educational use of the material, but the source must be acknowledged. THE MATERIAL MUST NOT BE USED FOR ANY COMMERICIAL OR PERSONAL FINANCIAL GAIN.
We welcome feedback – please send us your comments and/or suggestions.
For more information about the project or our other work, or to arrange a speaker:We welcome financial or other contributions to our work. You can donate online. Cheques welcome – please make payable to Black Women’s Rape Action Project.
A multi-media educational resource funded by Awards for All.
All digital material is the copyright of Black Women’s Rape Action Project.
Not to be reproduced without permission.
Funded by Awards for All
