The Government must continue to fund the SMV beyond March 2027 while introducing the long-term reforms needed to ensure migrant victim-survivors can access safety and protections on equal terms. (3)

But the vital safety net provided by the scheme, currently funded only until March 2027, cannot substitute for the long-term structural support migrant victim-survivors with No Recourse to Public Funds desperately need. (2)

We are delighted to announce that Southall Black Sisters has been awarded £92,136 through the Cabinet Office Evaluation Accelerator Fund for our Safe and Sane project that addresses significant evidence gap by investigating the prevalence and costs of abuse-related-suicide and attempted suicide.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please contact our confidential helpline on 0208 571 0800 or email [email protected] for help.

This World Suicide Prevention Day, we are calling for abuse-related suicide to be properly recognised. Prevention means recognising the role that abuse can play, responding to risk early and ensuring women can access the specialist support and protection they need. Every woman deserves to be safe.

Too often, abuse-related suicide remains overlooked, particularly in the experiences of Black, minoritised and migrant women. Urgent legal reform is needed to change this. We honour Michelle’s life and carry her memory with us in the fight for justice. 🕯️ 7/7

We stand in solidarity with Michelle’s family in their call for accountability and continue to campaign for abuse-related suicide to be explicitly recognised within the criminal justice system as murder, with clear duties to investigate, prosecute and hold perpetrators accountable. 6/7

"...Michelle’s life meant something, like so many other women who have felt that suicide was their only option. This will only stop when perpetrators are held accountable for their actions..." 5/7

"...All because the Police only associate cuts and bruises with domestic abuse. Not mental and psychological abuse and the link with suicide..." 4/7

"...Her struggle to cope with her ex-partner’s abusive behaviour. The loss of contact with our nephews since her death and the knowledge that her abuser faces no consequences for his actions..." 3/7

As we remember Michelle today, her family have shared a message reflecting on their loss and their call for accountability. "5 years and we are still affected by the suicide of our little sister Michelle..." 2/7

Our thoughts are with Michelle and her family today, as we mark five years since her death. Michelle was a beautiful soul who lit up every room she walked into. She was taken from this world far too soon, but she continues to live on in the hearts of all those who knew and loved her. 1/7

TW: Distressing content. There is NO HONOUR in 'honour'-based abuse. If you are experiencing or at risk of abuse, please call our helpline on 020 8571 0800 or email [email protected] for free, confidential advice and support. You are not alone.

We welcome recognition from Naz Shah MP of Southall Black Sisters' life-saving work on domestic and ‘honour’-based abuse. Her mother Zoora Shah, who endured horrific abuse and was imprisoned for murder, was released in 2006 after a decade-long campaign led by Naz and Southall Black Sisters. 1/2