Not In Our Name
We all want to live free from violence. As organisations defending the rights of women and migrant people in the UK, our work is grounded in this shared belief.
Yet violence against women and girls is increasingly being used as a tool for political point-scoring. The weaponisation of this violence threatens to pull us apart. It is wielded as a weapon to target people seeking asylum in the UK, those with refugee status and other immigration statuses.
In moments of national tragedy, misinformation and disinformation have been used to feed an anti-migrant rhetoric to divide communities and stoke further violence and fear.
This is not limited to isolated incidents – it is reinforced daily on social media, in the news, and even in Parliament.
The weaponisation of VAWG has spread rapidly, and if left unchecked, it will continue to fuel harm, deepen division, and undermine the respect and freedom of our communities. This is not in our name.
The Government, media and public must act now to change the narrative. This guide is designed to help us do just that.
Key takeaways if you’ve only got a few minutes
Remember most people are kind. But they might be relatively uninformed about VAWG and immigration.
Find common ground. Listen to understand ask open questions to establish rapport and trust.
Facts alone don’t work. Our hearts rule our heads.
Lean into values. Values like freedom, care, community, equality and justice appeal to our common humanity.
Tell a new story. Use your own words and share new information.
Be clear and on point. Use plain language, avoid jargon and complex terms.
Foreground hope. Hope is motivating, fear is not.
Offer solutions. Name the villans and heroes.
Tell the structural story. Use personal stories and acknowledge the systems too.
Our Head of Campaigns, Carenza Arnold, said:
“The surge in disinformation that twists violence against women and girls to scapegoat people seeking safety in the UK, to sow fear and division, and to further political goals is not just an abstract rhetoric, but has real life consequences. Women seeking safety in the UK already face profound barriers to protection, and these false narratives fuel hostility, deepen mistrust, and sow divisions in our communities, making it much harder for refugee women to rebuild their lives here. That’s why this guide is so important today: it equips people with the tools to challenge harmful myths and to stand firmly with women, girls, and humanity when it is needed now more than ever.”
With deep thanks to our partners who we created this guide in collaboration with: End Violence Against Women (EVAW), Hibiscus, Latin American Women’s Rights Service (LAWRS), Imkaan, Southall Black Sisters and Asylum Matters.