Last month, a new report from Women for Refugee Women was published – We are still here: the continued detention of women seeking asylum in Yarls Wood, Bedfordshire.

The Government’s “Adults at Risk” policy, says that people who are vulnerable or particularly “at risk” of harm
from detention should not normally be detained. Under this policy, survivors of sexual or gender-based violence
are recognised as “at risk”, and so unsuitable for detention. The government also introduced a 72-hour time
limit on the detention of pregnant women, with the aim of ensuring that they are not routinely detained. This
report highlights the results of the research undertaken by Women for Refugee Women to help them assess the
effectiveness of the Adults at Risk approach. Their research shows that the new approach is not working to
safeguard and protect women who are vulnerable, and prevent them from being detained. Please click here for the full report.