Petition to Save Southall Black Sisters

[malfunction]

(As much as it may be perpetrating stereo types)

As well as never hearing of forced weddings in the wider British community I've also never heard of women being shunned by their entire community for divorcing their husbands or so called honour killings. Would I expect the SBS to turn someone white away? ... I'd hope not - I'd hope they at least refer someone to the wider services if not take them in but that doesn't mean that in truth that some specialist service isn't required. In an ideal world there'd be no need for it - either no divisions in soceity and / or more than enough staff to help anyone of any background out in any circumstance... But it's not an ideal world and I'm happy to accept that the loss of the SBS would be a bad thing even if they are targetted at non-whites. Not forgetting that in Southall white people are in the minority and not the majority!

A good analogy for me is Sue Ryder - ideally the NHS would be able to offer the same services that Sue Ryder do (and indeed Sue Ryder do receive some money from the NHS) but just because it's specialist care and just because technically the NHS can provide palliative care it doesn't make Sue Ryder redundant (and having seen both options I'd sooner spend my dying days at a Sue Ryder hospice than on a general ward in a hospital)

[Agent]

So the only services that should be available are those that cater to the majority? There should be no specialised services for people whose needs may be different in some respect?

But is there a reason why they need to be separate though?
If say for example, the specialised people from this unit were integrated into a larger one that offered care for all, would there be an issue (or what's the disadvantage to this approach)?
Or is this unit going to be totally closed with no alternative for these people to attend? - I can't seem to find an answer either way.

[nichomach]

Last question first; yes, it will be closed - it's not a local government department, it's a not-for-profit, and the whole reason it was established was because comparable services were not and are not available elsewhere. It was established by black women because they weren't receiving services they need, and keeps going for that same reason. Initially it dealt with mostly Afro-Caribbean women, but the focus has majorly shifted toward Asian women. The loss of the small amount of funding that Ealing provide will result in the project's closure. There is no "integration" on the cards. It either keeps going or the skills and facilities are lost. As for why a separate facility is needed I've discussed that at length above. You either agree or you don't, you either want to support them or you don't, you either want to sign or you don't. Entirely your choice .

[Agent]

If its a closure with no alternative becoming available or integration with other services then it seems a bit silly.

Signed.

[pauldarkside]

I'm actually quite saddened by some of the responses in this thread. Of course I've signed - reasons to follow.

I've no wish or desire to document my personal history on a public forum such as this, suffice to say that I have greatly benefited from specialist, non-generic services such as this.

Being able to have a dialogue with people of a similar background who've suffered from abuse and damaging experiences has helped me move forwards with my life - instead of always looking back in fear and guilt and finding no point in continuing. Some skills cannot be taught via a course and sadly have to be experienced first-hand; I've talked with professionals who never had those experiences, who learned through books, but it only made matters worse since there was no real understanding of the situation.

If you want specialist help, you go to someone who has been there, not to someone who's "Jack of all trades, master of none". Until such time that there is a single place where these people exist, these places and services are vital. You can't just close something like this down and then integrate it (not that there appears to be any intention of integration); it has to be managed in a way that doesn't disrupt those which require it in the first place.

You can't go playing with people's lives like this; it's inhumane.

(Sorry for rambling, a touchy and difficult subject which shouldn't be taken lightly.)

[santa claus]

(Sorry for rambling, a touchy and difficult subject which shouldn't be taken lightly.)

Apologies for edit, but it makes all the difference.

[Blitzen]

As a black person, I have to agree with blitzen. This is due to the fact that integration is whats needed. Everything should be open to women/men of every colour. Domestic violence is no different whether your black, Caucasian, latin or Asian.

I'm of black parents who were born here and i was too, All i know is britain. I have many friends of different races and we all see each other as equals.

I do think ethnic minorities do play the suffering card to often and this is our downfall. I do agree that different backgrounds need different things like "places of worship", But domestic violence is suffered by women of all colour and that the organisation should be forced to open up to white women.

when does the separation stop? I think the younger generations are alot better at being together then the old ones.

Thats a great post and the voice of true reason ... thanks