Most of us would like to think that here in the UK, we have measures to protect women from violence and abuse and that these measures apply to all women. But it's not like that.

Certain women, including those who come to the UK to marry, are denied access to lifesaving services under the 'no recourse to public funds' rule.

Since 2008, we have been campaigning alongside other women's groups to ensure these vulnerable women can access vital refuge services.

• Find out more about our campaign
• Background: what is the "no recourse" rule?

Good news: making protection permanent While a pilot project has helped to secure emergency accommodation for over 600 women, we were concerned that this would end in March 2011. However, on 21 January the Home Office informed us that they are close to resolving final legal, practical and financial issues and if necessary committed to funding the pilot project on an ongoing basis past March 2011. Then, on International Women's Day 2011, the UK Government announced a permanent solution to ensure women on spousal visas (those who come to the UK to marry) can access vital refuge services. This is the latest step towards ensuring a permanent solution for all women affected by the no recourse rule, and it is due to your tireless campaigning and commitment. Thank you for all your support. We are putting the campaign on hold for now but we will update you on any further developments.

About the campaign

Mass lobby of Parliament

On 4 November 2009, activists went to Parliament to lobby their MPs about how women with insecure immigration status fleeing violence cannot access the benefits they need to get protection and support.

• Listen to activists who attended the lobby at Parliament (MP3).
• Read the Early Day Motion on no recourse to public funds on the UK Parliament website

Pilot project launched - and extended

In December 2009, following the mass lobby, the Government launched a three-month pilot scheme to help women who are normally denied help by the "no recourse" rule to access a refuge and seek specialised support. Read Amnesty's reaction to the project announcement

Following campaigning and lobbying, the pilot scheme was extended until August 2010.

On 16 July 2010, we were delighted by the Home Secretary, Teresa May's announcement at a Women's Aid conference that 'some things are too important not to do'. Therefore, despite the cuts climate, the government would commit to funding the No Recourse pilot project until March 2011 and find a permanent solution to ensure women are protected thereafter.

By January 2011, the pilot project had enabled 623 women to access to vital, lifesaving services they would have previously been denied.

And on 21 January 2011, the Home Office informed us that they were close to resolving final legal, practical and financial issues for a permanent solution. They have committed, if necessary, to funding the pilot project on an ongoing basis past March 2011.

What is the 'no recourse to public funds' rule?

Under the 'no recourse to public funds' rule, women who arrive in the UK on temporary work permits, student visas, spousal visas or who come here to marry are not entitled to certain state benefits including housing benefit and income support. However, these are the benefits a woman must be able to claim in order to get a place in a refuge. 

'Women must either stay in a violent situation or risk a life dependent on others or on the streets.' Archie Panjabi, star of Bend It Like Beckham

As a result, many newly-married women in the UK are trapped in violent marriages. Even if they do muster the courage to seek help from the authorities, they are simply turned away.