Sikh woman raped in racially motivated attack in UK, 40 anti-racist groups demand justice
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A 20-year-old Sikh woman was raped in what authorities believe was a racially motivated attack on Tuesday morning in Oldbury, Birmingham, in the West Midlands, UK.
The woman was targeted near Tame Road by two white men who reportedly told her, “You don’t belong here, get out.”
A man was arrested just hours after members of the Sikh community protested the incident. Vigils and protests were held in the streets, while hundreds expressed their anger and grief on social media.
Forty South Asian, Black, migrant, refugee, and anti-racist organisations have shown solidarity with the survivor. In a joint statement, they praised her courage for coming forward to report the horrific sexual and racial violence. They expressed their solidarity for the survivor, affirming their commitment to stand with her through this difficult time and ensure she is not alone.
The organisations that signed the statement included Sikh Women’s Aid, South Asia Solidarity Group, Million Women Rise Movement, Black Lives Matter UK, Birmingham Black Sisters, Indian Workers Association (GB), Women Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Migrants (WARM), UK Indian Muslim Council (UK-IMC), Castewatch UK, India Labour Solidarity (ILS), Hindus for Human Rights UK, Muslim Social Justice Initiative, and Strive UK, among others.
The survivor released a public statement through the Sikh Federation (UK), saying she was “truly humbled” by the support and love shown by her local community.
The report of the attack emerged on the same day that thousands of far-right supporters marched in London, chanting Islamophobic, anti-immigrant, and racist slogans. The march was led by Tommy Robinson, known for his white supremacist campaigns.
The signatories of the joint statement accused far-right groups of dehumanising ethnic minorities, immigrants, and refugees. They argued that this hostile environment leads to crimes like the racially motivated rape.
The statement noted that in recent years, the far-right has exploited concerns about women’s and children’s safety to promote racist and Islamophobic myths, including claims that ‘grooming gangs’ are mainly composed of Muslim men and that migrants, refugees, and trans people are responsible for sexual abuse.