Uzma

Uzma is from North Africa. She came to Ireland on a Stamp 3 visa eight years ago. She has one child and is married.

Migration experience

I came to Ireland with my husband on a stamp three visa. Before I relocated to Ireland, I had a respectable job and was financially independent. But things changed when we moved due to the Stamp 3 visa, and I found myself 100% dependent on my husband who had a respectable job as an Engineer. Being on a Stamp 3 visa took away my independence – I had to ask him for everything, and this was the first struggle for me as a migrant woman. The first two years in Ireland was difficult. I was isolated, lonely, and barred from socializing by my husband. I could not meet up with friends or even attend programmes at the community centre close to the house, which offered various classes for migrants. I was in a psychologically and physically abusive relationship with my partner. He controlled and monitored everything I did, and even spied on me by installing a spy kit that monitored my phone. After having my first baby, the control continued. We were not allowed to leave the house or socialize. He controlled me and I followed his instructions.

DSGBV experience and access to supports

In 2018, I sought refuge with my daughter who was one year and a few months old at the Sonas refuge home for two weeks. It was not comfortable living in the refuge, and I did not like it there, but it removed my daughter and me far from the toxic environment. It was the first step to freedom. While at the refuge, I got the opportunity and courage to start applying to change my visa status to one that will give me the right to work. However, after two weeks in the refuge, I lost hope because all efforts to change my visa status were not successful and I was told to leave. It was the “last nail in the coffin” and I went back home to my abuser. How can a government say to you that because you have a certain type of visa stamp, they will not help you? If I were single, I could struggle. I would even sleep on the road, I would not mind. But being rejected with my baby because of my Stamp 3 visa despite the unmistakable evidence that we were being abused was the biggest worry for me.

Sonas said, “You have the protection order. He will not be aggressive with you anymore, because you have the protection order. And the Garda will come, if you call them. It will be a trouble for him.” One of them told me that I can go back to my country, and the problem will be solved. But that was not what I needed at that stage. I needed a new life. I needed support and protection from the government. I really appreciate the help from Sonas. They accepted us and kept us safe for two weeks. But they could not do more for us because they were funded by the government. I was disappointed and rejected when I was most vulnerable with my child.

I got assistance from Crosscare at the Ferry Hill community centre. They helped me with drafting my letter and application to the Minister of Justice to change my visa from a Stamp 3 to a Stamp 1, which would give me the right to work. I needed to get a job and my independence back. Through their assistance I got my Stamp 1 visa in 2018. The controlling and mental torture from my husband continued after I got my visa changed to a Stamp 1. My husband refused to assist with childcare or even share the cost of creche fees because he said it was my role to stay at home and take care of the child.

The government should be able to treat every woman experiencing abuse equally. They should be protected and not forced to go back to their abuser. Also, the Stamp 1 has limitations for victims of abuse. Firstly, it does not give migrants the full right to work. They still need a permit from the minister before they can be offered jobs. Secondly, migrants with a Stamp 1 are not entitled to social welfare and social services support, so this makes it hard for them to survive. If they cannot find a job, they will not get support from the state and even when they do find a job, they find it hard to supplement their meagre income to pay for rent, feeding and childcare. You know that childcare is expensive in Ireland, and it is a barrier for a lot of women like me who want to work but cannot because we cannot afford it. The government visa policy is discriminatory, unfair and an injustice to women and their children in abusive relationships.

Interactions with the authorities

I went to Legal Aid for assistance and support during my application for separation from my husband. They analyzed my financial situation, advised me, and supported me with legal representation. This was a huge relief and great support from the government.

My first experience with the police happened before I went to the Sonas refuge. I invited them to my friend’s house where we ran to after we left home. We left the house while my husband was sleeping, and I did not want him to accuse me of running away with our child. I reported the abuse and notified them to inform him that we were at the refuge. The Garda were extremely helpful and supportive; they arrived on time and were very professional.

My experience with the immigration services and the Department of Justice was a little bit different. In general, they were not nice. I found them to be very rude, disorganized, and uninformed about their services. So, I will say, they are 50% good and 50% bad. They interrogated me unnecessarily with irrelevant and unhelpful questions. For example, when I went to change my visa stamp, I was quizzed unnecessarily and given erroneous information. I had to educate them and direct them to their website.

Integration into Irish society

I have done some volunteering, and this has helped me integrate in my community and expand my social networks. After six years I got my Stamp 4 and I applied for a job. I initially worked part time in an after-school, and after that I worked full time at a creche. I finally attained my main goal as an independent professional.

I have made a few friends, and this includes three of my Irish neighbours. They are supportive. We meet up at the park when they are free, and sometimes we go to the restaurant for a meal. We enjoy talking together and sharing our experiences but not really enjoying at 100% because we have our children with us. These families have been genuinely nice, and they see me like themselves. In general, I find Ireland a good country, I am happy in Ireland, only if the childcare was affordable.

[Before], I went to the mosque occasionally, especially during Eid. There are loads of activities such as English, cooking, and religious classes. But because my partner was not helpful with childcare, I did not attend the classes. However, my daughter attends the mosque and an Arabic school, where they are taught the language and the Quran. This helps my daughter connect with other children and identify with our culture and religion.