A Step Toward Justice: New UKVI Policy Changes Offer Hope for Migrant Survivors of Domestic Abuse 

In an otherwise hostile landscape for migrants, we pause to welcome positive Home Office policy changes improving access to justice for migrant survivors of domestic abuse.  

Removing barriers for dependent children  

From today, government has removed barriers for dependent children applying for settlement alongside their parent after domestic abuse.  

Since 2024, we have asked Government to scrap cruel policies harming children of migrant victim-survivors of domestic abuse and we are delighted to see our calls finally answered today.  

Recognising coercive control in counter-allegations 

Today’s policy changes from the Home Office also address VAWG organisations’ concerns relating to UKVI’s handling of counter-allegations in the context of immigration applications from victim-survivors of domestic abuse.  

Our call for reform has been met by changes to UKVI policy guidance that recognises the complexities of counter-allegations and how they can be made falsely by perpetrators or arise when victim-survivors engage in protective or resistance behaviours in response to abuse.   

UKVI decision-makers are now encouraged to identify the primary victim and primary perpetrator through a rounded contextual analysis of domestic abuse relationships, rather than forming conclusions based on an individual incident. We hope this policy change presents a step forward in how statutory agencies understand and respond to domestic abuse.  

More progress is needed 

While we welcome today’s changes, they do not address all the barriers migrant victim-survivors of domestic abuse face in the UK.  

Today’s progress shows how change is possible, especially when government listens to the voices of victim-survivors and the VAWG organisations that advocate for and with them.  

Rights of Women will continue to campaign for change to ensure all migrant victim-survivors can access safety through immigration policies that address their needs.  

Source of policy change: Home Office, Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse, version 22.0, published on 26.03.2026