In The Press

Emine Mehmet , a director of family and childcare based at our Dalston branch, has been quoted in Eastern Eye discussing her experience representing women who have found themselves trapped in controlling and abusive relationships. Eastern Eye has written about statistics which have arisen that show Asian women are less likely to speak out and begin legal proceedings against their partners despite living with domestic abuse. Campaigners have suggested that sentencing domestic abusers to prison time would encourage more women to come forward and report mistreatment. Emine has stated: “The most important thing is educating women at an early stage that this behaviour is not acceptable. It can be difficult to break that cultural perception that it is shameful to report such behaviour. Also, any services that assist women in these circumstances need to be sensitive to cultural issues and offer early advice on protective orders and safe places to ensure women know these is support and protection available. I had a case which was an extreme example, where the woman was effectively kept as a modern-day slave and was not allowed any freedom at all. She sought help through medical services and was then placed in a hostel and given advice about protective orders which really helped.”