Last month Savera UK spoke out about the racially motivated rape of a Sikh woman in Oldbury in the West Midlands. Just over one month later we are outraged to learn that a man has been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated rape in Walsall, a separate incident.
West Midlands police said a woman, in her 20s, had been raped and assaulted by a man she did not know. A 32-year-old man was arrested just before 7am on Monday 27th October in the Perry Barr area of Birmingham and will be questioned.
In the Oldbury incident last month a woman reported being attacked by two men on Tuesday 9th September. On Sunday 14th September, a man in his 30s was arrested and detained on suspicion of rape.
The Sikh Federation (UK), which has been supporting the woman, said the perpetrators reportedly told her during the attack: “You don’t belong in this country, get out.”
In a public statement released by the Sikh Federation (UK), the woman said: “I would never wish this on anyone. All I was doing was going about my day on my way to work, and what has happened has deeply affected us. Through it all, my family has been my rock, and my community has stood strong beside me.”
Police are not connecting the two incidents. However, that this most recent racially motivated attack has taken place so soon following the Oldbury incident is something that Savera UK finds deeply concerning.
Afrah Qassim, Savera UK CEO and founder, said: “We are horrified, heartbroken and outraged yet again that another woman has has been subjected to a sexual assault motivated by her race.
“It is a terrifying reminder that racism and misogyny are interconnected, and an indicator that hate is on the rise and a threat to the safety of people from diverse communities. We stand in solidarity and support with both women, their families and communities, who will all be deeply affected.
“We urge the government to take action now on the rising levels of racism in the UK, driven by divisive politics and rhetoric created around the country about people who are perceived as ‘foreigners’.
“No one should be subjected to an attack when simply going about their day. That so many people live in fear of such a thing happening is disgusting and a shocking indictment of life in the UK right now for our diverse communities.
“Our thoughts remain with both women. We hope they are receiving the help and support they need, and that those responsible will be brought to justice. We stand firmly against any form of racially motivated abuse or violence, and against hate – it has no part in our country or communities.”
