Brought to my attention is the plight of refugee women and illegal immigrants who are victims of domestic violence but who are trapped in abusive situations because benefits rules prevent them running away – a classic and tragic case of bureaucratic rules gone wrong.

The situation is that these women who are vulnerable but whose immigration status does not ‘allow’ them the access that settled status does. They can’t get access to emergency refuges or welfare and so are left with having no choice really other than to suffer abuse – or become totally destitute on the streets.

Amnesty International and Southall Black Sisters have just issued a report which says – and I agree – that the Government should make exceptions to the rules for these women so that they can be properly helped. It’s a difficult climate – and we all want proper rules properly and fairly applied on asylum and immigration – but for goodness sakes we cannot stand by as a civilised country and simply let women be beaten up and abused.

The spotlight this report shines on the desperate situation of abused women trapped in immigration limbo with literally nowhere to turn is welcome. With no real or secure support from the Government, these women face a bleak choice between destitution or continued dependence on their abuser.

They have already suffered at the hands of their abusers – they shouldn’t have to suffer at the hands of the state too. It’s just not acceptable.