ILS Statement on the Far-right racist attacks against South Asian Women

29th Oct 2025

We, at ILS, are horrified at the increasing racist attacks and sexual abuse directed at South Asian women. In September, a Sikh woman was raped in a racially aggravated attack in Oldbury and now, another Indian origin woman (also Sikh) has been attacked inside her own home in Walsall. We write this statement with deep pain and wholeheartedly extend our solidarities to both of them and their families. 

While being attacked the women were told they are not welcome in this country. Racist slurs were used against them. This repeated pattern of racially aggravated sexual violence is a direct result of the rise of the far-right in the country, where attacks against racialised people are increasing every single day, while the authorities do nothing to stop the mobilisation of these racist groups. The far-right use typical white supremacist tactics of dehumanising men who may be Black, Brown and/or Muslim as savages and rapists, they claim to protect women against such men. We see through this false propaganda and we refuse to believe this racism. White supremacy does not protect women. All it does is create an environment where individuals get empowered to attack minoritised people, often without consequences. We will not accept this and we are united in opposing any form of misogyny and racism.

At ILS, we further recognise the role played by the Police in the UK in enabling sexual violence against women, including transwomen. A recent report showcased 300 people making complaints of corruption, sexual abuse and bullying by the Police when they tried to make complaints. The Sarah Everad case and the role of Police in sexually abusing children in the Rotherham grooming case showcases the Police cannot be trusted. So even though the Police have arrested a man in connection to the second attack, we recognise that until this issue is addressed systematically, there will be no safety and no justice for racialised people in this country. 

This is an incredibly difficult time, with the continuing cost of living crisis and the attack on our public systems, and the racist far-right mobilisations that have become a weekly norm. We will continue to work within our communities, building solidarities and supporting each other. We will not buy into the divisive agenda of the right that seeks to divide us on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, gender or any other identity markers - we shall continue to build our movement and protect each other. 

We call upon the UK Government to stop the far-right mobilisations as they are an active threat to often, the most vulnerable people and to tackle the rise in misogyny through targeted work with local communities. This needs to be accompanied with providing material support to organisations engaged in providing support to minoritised communities. The scapegoating of minorities must stop and the government needs to take responsibility for its failures, rather than propagating far-right rhetoric and increasing its attacks on immigrants rights. We are united in this fight and we shall never back down.