Nearly half of female refugees have been 'raped'

Almost half of women seeking asylum in Britain have fallen victim to rape in their home countries, according to a report published by a refugee support group.

Women For Refugee Women said its report into the fate of more than 70 respondents living in seven UK cities also found that the vast majority claiming to have been raped had been refused asylum.

Of those refused asylum, two-thirds were left destitute - with no support or housing - and more than half had thought about killing themselves.

• 48% of those questioned had experienced rape as part of the persecution they were fleeing.
• 56% of women refused asylum said they had been forced to sleep rough in Britain.