Nasrin came to the UK in 2019, aged 21, to join her British Husband (with whom she already had a child). She came on her own, as her son’s passport had not yet been approved.
Whilst Nasrin had been told that she was coming to the UK to live with her husband, it quickly became clear upon her arrival that this would not be the case. Instead, Nasrin was taken to a garage in a commercial area and told that this would be her new home.
During this time Nasrin also discovered her husband already had a wife and 3 children in the UK, one of whom was the same age as her.
Nasrin was forced to remain in the garage, meanwhile her husband remained with his other family. The garage had no bed or toilet facilities, and Nasrin who had no friends or other family in the UK was given no money, taught no English and not allowed to open a bank account, making escape extremely difficult. When her husband was away, he would close the shutters and lock the garage to prevent her from escaping, often forcing her to remain in total darkness for days on end. During this time Nasrin was also subject to frequent verbal, sexual and physical violence. She lived in constant fear for her life, her husband told her if she made her presence known or called the police he would kill her. As a result, she remained in the garage for over 2 years
In 2019, Nasrin’s husband ordered her to return to her country of origin to collect their son. He said he would have her killed if she did not return to the UK. Upon return, she was immediately taken back to the garage and forced to live there with her infant son. In 2021, Nasrin gave birth to her second child, who also remained living in the garage.
Following a final episode of physical and sexual abuse, Nasrin managed to call the police while her husband was at work. The police broke into the garage to remove her and her children, who were subsequently housed by Social Services. Nasrin was referred to RAMFEL later that year by a domestic abuse charity.
Recognising the severity of the situation, we helped Nasrin apply for temporary migration status and then applied for Indefinite Leave to Remain as a victim of domestic violence. This was granted in March 2023, giving Nasrin and her children secure and permanent immigration status.
Nasrin now has the tools to rebuild her life without relying on her abuser. She has found stable accommodation and hopes to study and eventually begin working once the children are in full-time education.
