Southall Black Sisters (SBS)

@sbsisters.bsky.social

It was a pleasure to host colleagues from the Ministry of Justice earlier this week at our office in Southall. We discussed our ongoing campaign for Banaz's Law, which calls for 'honour'-based abuse to be recognised as an aggravating factor in sentencing, alongside robust multi-agency guidance. 1/3

Group selfie of six people smiling in front of a Southall Black Sisters banner during a Ministry of Justice visit.

Being forced to marry to protect your family’s ‘honour’ is abuse. Your voice, and consent, matters. If you are worried, please email our helpline at helpline@southallblacksisters.co.uk; the telephone helpline is available from 10th August on 020 8571 0800 for confidential free advice and support.

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Dowry-related abuse is often disguised as ‘gifts’ or ‘loving exchanges between families’. But it is abuse. If you are worried, free & confidential support is available via our helpline at helpline@southallblacksisters.co.uk; the telephone helpline is available from 10th August on 020 8571 0800.

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Abuse in the name of ‘honour’ is often woven into everyday life. If you are worried about yourself, support is available. Please email our helpline at helpline@southallblacksisters.co.uk for confidential free advice and support. The telephone helpline is available from 10th August on 020 8571 0800.

A beige background with cobwebs entrapping a house silhouette with the multiple signs of 'Honour' based abuse mentioned in the webs like 'Multiple perpetrators, family surveillance, control over money, intimidation and threats, isolation, control over documents, community surveillance,  Tradition as excuse, no autonomy.' 

The poster is talking about the elements of pressure, survelleince, threats, isolation, forced marriage, in 'honour' based abuse.

There is no ‘honour’ in ‘honour’-based abuse.✊🏾 If you are experiencing ‘honour’-based abuse, or are worried about someone, please email our helpline at helpline@southallblacksisters.co.uk. The telephone helpline is available from 10th August on 020 8571 0800 for confidential free advice and support

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🚨🚨 Last two days left to apply! 🚨🚨 We’re hiring for four vital impact led roles. If you’re committed to challenging injustice and supporting Black, minoritised and migrant women, we’d love to hear from you. Find out more here: southallblacksisters.org.uk/get-involved...

Work with us - Southall Black Sisters

We have secured critical reforms that have advanced the cause of gender equality, justice, and human rights for Black and minoritised women through our advocacy, advice, policy and lobbying work - but...

southallblacksisters.org.uk

Six months on from the Govt's VAWG Strategy, the structural barriers determining whether migrant women can actually reach safety remain largely unaddressed. This month, we assess progress across key policy areas in our six-month accountability report. southallblacksisters.org.uk/news/vawg-st...

VAWG Strategy Watch: Six-Month Accountability Report - Southall Black Sisters

ix months after the publication of the Government's violence against women and girls (VAWG) Strategy, Freedom From Violence and Abuse, the gap

southallblacksisters.org.uk

Refugee Week is a vital reminder of the resilience and strength it takes to seek safety and rebuild a life. Solidarity cannot begin and end with a single week. We must continue to defend the rights of refugees, including Black, minoritised and migrant women fleeing abuse, every day of the year.

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Six months on from the Government’s VAWG Strategy, Black, minoritised and migrant women are still being left behind. While some progress has been made, critical gaps remain. All women deserve safety, regardless of their background. Read our analysis: southallblacksisters.org.uk/news/trackin....

Tracking the VAWG Strategy: Six Months On - Southall Black Sisters

Six months after the publication of the Government’s Freedom from Violence and Abuse: A Cross-Government Strategy to Build a Safer Society

southallblacksisters.org.uk

We stand in solidarity with Harshita Brella’s family as they continue their fight for justice following her killing, and renew calls for accountability for the domestic abuse and alleged dowry-related abuse she suffered; as well as the systemic failings surrounding her case.

A picture from the vigil organised by SBS for Harshita Brella. The image captures a photograph of Harshita kept on a easel surrounded by flowers and candles with a Southall Black Sisters flag in the back.

If you need advice about your abuse, you can contact our confidential helpline on 02085710800 to speak to an expert advisor. You can also get in touch with us by email at helpline@southallblacksisters.co.uk. Please note that we do not provide a 24-hour emergency service. In an emergency, dial 999.

A beige poster with a telephone image with the text " Call Our Helpline. Our confidential helpline is open between 10am-1pm on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and 1pm-4pm Tuesday and Thursday on 02085710800."

Tayọ Aluko & Friends presents a special fundraising performance of Coleridge-Taylor of Freetown in support of SBS’s life-saving work with Black, minoritised, and migrant women, on 19 May at The Bread & Roses Theatre, Clapham. Use Code: 140618SBS for discount tickets at £15! Link in comment⬇️

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‘By and for’ organisations have long provided specialist, life-saving support to victim-survivors of abuse. Yet despite clear evidence of their impact, they remain chronically underfunded and structurally disadvantaged within current funding systems.

A Red and white background with the title 'Why ‘By and For’ Services Matter: The Case for Ring-Fenced Funding' ‘By and for’ organisations are specialist, community-based services led by and for the communities they serve.
They provide culturally informed, holistic support to victim-survivors of abuse, rooted in lived experience and trust. 
SBS is a ‘by and for’ Black, minoritised and migrant women’s organisation supporting women fleeing gender-based violence.
We do more than offer services — we act as an anchor at the point when women are trying to leave abuse, supporting them to navigate housing, immigration, healthcare and the justice system.
Research shows what frontline organisations have long known, 
67% of victim-survivors prefer
‘by and for’ services.
Yet women and girls’ organisations receive just over 2% of total UK charity income, with a disproportionate share going to a small number of large organisations.