I don’t believe the system we have should stay. I think it is shocking that any person has to risk their life to seek shelter in another nation, only then to be treated as if they are sub human when they get there. I think it is ridiculous that it takes years for an asylum claim to be approved or rejected and in that time people have to live on the most meagre of rations in sub-par accommodation, unable to work to support themselves.
If we are to continue with our responsibilities under international law, and I think we should, we need to have more safe legal routes for asylum seekers, a more streamlined process for application, preferably one that can be started without having to come here first, that would benefit everyone involved.
When I hear of any rape, I am utterly appalled that women are still being subjected to this, that our safety is compromised by men, that we are still facing the same risks we have for centuries and it is accepted. Getting rid of asylum seekers isn’t going to change that, nor move the dial in any meaningful way in terms of the numbers of attacks being carried out. Anyone who believes it would should step away from the Daily Mail and stop falling for the weaponisation of VAWG to achieve a racist agenda. I’m not going to be lectured to about my safety by a group of men who statistics have shown are very likely to have their own convictions for domestic abuse. At one of our local protests, a female counter protester was punched and pushed to the ground by those claiming they were there to protect women and girls. Suggesting this is the “price we pay” for meeting our international obligations is disingenuous to say the least.