A NEW refuge for women from the south Asian community who are at risk of honour-based violence or being forced into marriage has officially opened in Waltham Forest.

The Saranaya Refuge is the second of its kind in the UK and both refuges are run by the Ashiana Network in Waltham Forest.

Ashiana runs a third refuge for women who have been victims of more general domestic abuse, also in Waltham Forest.

Although the problem is not deemed specific to the borough, Ashiana has been based in Waltham Forest since 1989 and helps both women and men from around London and the UK.

Speaking at a special launch event, held today at Vestry House Museum, director Shaminder Ubhi said: “We will be celebrating our 21st birthday next year. We were originally looking at the needs of young Asian women and as the years have gone on, we've expanded.

“We now have three refuges and two are more specialised. Staff have been trained and have knowledge and understanding about particular issues and experiences.”

Women are referred to Ashiana through a variety of routes including police and local councillors and usually stay at the refuges for about a year.

They are given training and advice and are helped into employment or education on leaving the facility.

Some even return home, although the refuge does not offer mediation.

Cabinet member for community safety Cllr Afzal Akram said: “Sometimes, police will arrange mediation through a third party.

“The women can do that in a safe environment.”

Sarah Russell, of the Forced Marriage Unit, works closely with Ashiana and stressed the difference between arranged marriage and forced marriage.

She said: “They're two very different things. Arranged marriage is a cultural tradition but in forced marriage, victims say they feel as though they have no other option.

“Emotional pressure and physical abuse can be very, very extreme.”

Yvonne Rhoden, a senior officer in the Met's violent crime directorate, added that in some cases, the result is death.

She said: “We need education, learning and awareness. The most important thing is that we protect people and save lives.”

The refuge is funded by Waltham Forest council and can house up to five women at a time.

In the last year, leading up to the official launch, it has helped about 115 people.

Ashiana also does outreach works in schools in Waltham Forest to help prevent children from being forced into marriage at a young age.

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