In house counselling services are offered to South Asian, Turkish and Iranian women experiencing domestic violence. The aim of the sessions is to clarify clients needs and understanding of their situtation. The counselling is in English and short term.

There are specific barriers Black, Minority Ethnic & Refugee (BMER) women face in accessing counselling services. Accessing counselling services at the best of times is not an easy task. Long waiting lists, high prices or lack of resources for longer term free counselling is some of the common barriers shared between anyone in need of this form of help. Added to this, BMER women may face additional problems such as language needs, fear of taking the problem ‘out of ‘ the extended family and therefore shaming/ exposing the family, unfamiliarity with counselling or lack of knowledge of various support networks, experience of misunderstanding or lack of empathy with clients’ cultural and religious beliefs from non-BME professionals, extreme control on behaviour and movement from family or partners may stop clients leaving their homes, lack of child care for women with children.

The issues our clients present range from forced marriages, to incidents of rape and physical injury. Although in extreme cases the priority is to ensure the physical safety of the client by placing her in a refuge/independent housing away from perpetrators, their psychological needs are not met merely by their physical safety. Counselling can play an essential component in enabling women to become more confident and aim for a life free of violence.

Ashiana is a member of the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP).