NGOZI FULANI knew black women needed somewhere safe to go, after the violent murder of Valerie Forde and her young daughter in 2014.
One year later, in the heart of Hackney she had created a safe space for black women and girls affected by domestic violence.
Sistah Space is a black woman led grassroots charity, and it is needed now more than ever, according to Ngozi.
“We offer specialist support in an authentic setting for African heritage women affected by domestic or sexual abuse,” she tells me.
“We bring first-hand knowledge of the historical backdrop to their situation, by understanding the issues they face in an inherently racist system.”
Ngozi says that without her service, black women would face more barriers and it would be harder for them to receive relevant support.
She tells me about Valerie Forde’s untimely and brutal death. She was attacked with a hammer, screwdriver and machete. One of her daughters heard the terrible assault over the phone.
Before her murder, Valerie had reached out for help because her ex-partner had threatened to burn her house down. The police filed the situation as a threat to property, not a threat to life.
“It reminds me of how we were seen back in the day, as nothing but cattle and property,” says Ngozi.
She can still recall how she felt when Valerie’s murderer was sentenced. As she watched Valerie’s bereaved daughter and sister cry, she was reminded that black women like them had nowhere to go.
It is well known that domestic violence has surged during lockdowns. According to government figures, between March and June last year there was a 7% increase in incidents.
Perpetrators and their victims are often confined in the same home. As a trained independent domestic violence advisor, Ngozi has seen the consequences of lockdown firsthand. She says 500% more women are turning to her services.
Complicated Work
The work Sistah Space does is complex. Women of Caribbean heritage are reluctant to report domestic violence to the police. Some fear deportation due to the Windrush scandal. Continued distrust between the black community and the police makes things even harder.
During the first lockdown, Ngozi had to argue with the council. There was an essential items policy for domestic violence victims. However, the council did not necessarily understand why certain items were essential for women of African heritage. This is just one of the many cultural and racial barriers the organisation faces.
Though the charity is small, Sistah Space operates on an almost national scale. However, Ngozi explains that they still have to fight in order to be heard.
“Any group or person can use the term ‘BAME’ to say they speak on behalf of black women, when they don’t,” she says.
“This has led to decades of issues for black women who are usually represented by those who know little or nothing about African, Caribbean or grassroots cultures. It cannot and should not be assumed that anyone who is not white middle class and may be classed as BAME, can speak for us.”
She tells me she won’t stop until the voices of British African heritage women like Valerie Forde, are finally heard.
The fight for a safe space
After expressing concerns about their initial premises in Clapton, Hackney Council moved Sistah Space to a location on Mare Street.
The Clapton location underwent refurbishment.
Deliberations with the council, Ngozi informs me, were always about having a “temporary space, until they could find a permanent one.”
“We’ve done risk assessments and we’ve said that our previous building is not safe, they’re not trying to work out somewhere else or find another solution, they want us to go back to where we were, it is such a dilapidated building – all of this while they shout Black Lives Matter,” she says.
When a reporter called one day, and asked Ngozi how she felt about Sistah Space’s impending eviction, things came to a head.
Ngozi’s daughter, Djanomi is also a trained independent domestic violence advisor. She points out that shelter is one of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. He calls it a basic need, in fact.
“It’s shelter, food and human interaction,” she explains.
“We provide all those things, but our old building and its location are not suitable.
“When [the council] deprive Sistah Space of these basic needs, they are literally depriving hundreds or even thousands of women – black women specifically – and their children, and their families.”
The dispute between Hackney Council prompted the charity to launch a petition in November last year.
Already signed by over 25,000 people, it calls on the council to provide them with a safe premises, including but not limited to a “minimum 5-year lease” on a new building and a “location with easy transport links.”
The petition also says the charity have been waiting five years for an adequate space.
In a live streamed meeting between Sistah Space and Hackney Council, Ngozi told the board of councillors to “please get their collective knees off of our necks, because we can’t breathe.”
She accused them of institutional racism. Now, Sistah Space’s plight has received worldwide attention and they have the support of leading black figures in the UK such as Edward Enninful, Editor in Chief of British Vogue and musician Akala.
The Voice reached out to Hackney Council for comment.
A council spokesperson said: “Following independent mediation in October, Sistah Space agreed to leave the temporary premises they have occupied since December 2019 rent-free in Mare Street last month – a date they suggested – after accepting the Council could not guarantee long-term accommodation.
“As we have always made clear, like hundreds of other charities in Hackney, Sistah Space is free to apply for space in other Council buildings when it becomes available – as they did when granted previous premises in Clapton in 2016, before deciding it was no longer suitable.
“Space is extremely limited, and it would be inappropriate and unfair to the many other charities also there to support Hackney’s diverse communities if there was not a fair and transparent letting process open to all voluntary and charity sector organisations.”
To support Sistah Space in their fight for a safe premises and funding visit their funding page at GoFundMe.com
If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please visit Sistah Space.org
Comments Form
5 Comments
Hello ladies. I’m loving what u do and this is so needed.
I would just like to know if ur orgaisation would help promote more black peoole to donate blood. Time and time I see this come up and for many years I’ve asked the question ‘why are we not doing this’?
I went to donate blood this year and was told that due to having Multiple Sclerosis I was unable to do this., which left me quite sad.
I think that as your a recognised organisation people would listen.
I would be grateful for any feedback, advice or suggestions.
Hi I would like to make a comment regarding that awful experience you suffered at the hands of the royal family and there circle of idiotic snobs. I am a white English male with a family from one of the most diverse populations in the country called the Black Country in Sandwell West Midlands, we have a flag that incorporates chains for our area when visitors from out of the area ask us isn’t that racist we say no definitely not it all dates back from when the industrial revolution was in full swing and every thing was dirty smoky from the numerous Blast Furness’s, Foundries etc. the chains on the flag refer to the numerous chain making workshops and the supply of the chain and anchor for the Titanic. it is all about education once people know the history they understand. We have no racial bias in my family My son is in a relationship with an Indian girl and my granddaughters partner is West Indian lad Both born in the UK but in general conversation we have spoken about were do your families heritage originate from they never had a problem with that they were proud to tell us. I think that the royal family and the people in there circle are on another planet they don’t represent the normal people of this country and never have the area I come from is one of the most deprived areas in the country. like with everything in this world it boils down to is education, education, education. I wish you well in what you do. All women of all nationality’s need protection. keep up the good work.
Regards
Mr S Gilbert
Dear Ngozi Fulani, please take this in the non racist manner it is meant to be. I’m 70 and I’ve always been interested in culture. I fought this government for 2 years to bring my now daughter in law to this country. When I was younger I was a member of the Anti Nazi League, CND and active in all civil rights. But I am concerned at my own terminology, and where I’d really like your guidance. I grew up on a ghetto estate where I found out about discrimination first hand, and by the way I’m white. It was prior to there being many black people (sadly), so just by virtue of my post code hence my interest in civil rights and activism. I’m also greatly interested in culture and I ensured my grandkids understand their cultural heritage too, learning to speak their mother’s original language of Croatian. Because of that I also love language, and sadly I’m guilty especially in Lidl and Aldi of asking about someone’s heritage if I can detect a hint of an accent, whether it be Scottish, Polish, Latvian, Chinese, Arabic, Iranian and of course also ask about any African heritage especially as I’ve been a fan of African music for over 50 years. I worked in a smelly laundry whilst at school learned a bit of Swahili, and I love to learn languages, albeit rarely able to fully absorb enough to have a full conversation. Your situation though did raise concerns for me, because from my perspective when I’ve asked in a friendly way, and they find out why I’m asking, they usually embrace me, pleased because in my opinion the one thing wrong with this world is IGNORANCE, and that’s a prime conditioner for racism and all forms of prejudice too. I’d love to hear from you, as I really don’t want to offend anyone, but I genuinely have a great interest in ALL culture, all languages, and from my perspective the more we learn, the more we dispel the bigotry and prejudices that exist, and I’m by no means trying to dilute racism. Thanking you in anticipation.
Dear Ngozi,
At Buckingham Palace you were wearing a fantastic dress, it drew attention, certainly it was not any known British style. So why were you offended when someone was curious about you and your look? Don’t forget people get accused of appropriating or stealing fashions from other cultures. Please be fair to that elderly lady, a trusted friend of our late Queen. You told her that you are British yet you were wearing the fashion from another culture, one that is not British and therefore is not yours, a culture that you seemed reluctant or ashamed to reveal or discuss. I was not born in the UK and I’m very happy and proud to discuss my Far East Asian country of birth and I am pleased if anyone takes an interest. People are not being racist if they’re interested in you, your family background and culture, they are being curious and want to learn more.
Regards.
Dear Ngozi – I heard the Radio 4 word-for-word reproduction of That Conversation and was outraged – I’ve encountered many forms of racism, but never such a prolonged attempt to force a submissive response, and in a setting claimed to be in support of safety for women! You are absolutely right to call it abusive. Those who excuse it on the basis of Hussey’s age do a disservice to older people and are doubly guilty, of ageism as well as being apologists for common racism. I benefit from white privilege and am nearly 80, but would have recognised this form of abuse 50 years ago. It helps that my daughters and most of my family are black, and I know something about their experiences; but I always recognised much of this kind of racism anyway.
Thank you for putting your experience on the public agenda, if only for a few days; perhaps some white people will think twice before having That Conversation in the future. I shall donate to Sistah Space and hope the incident gets you many more donations!