Information on the recourse available specifically to Romani women in Poland who are victims of domestic abuse could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

The only mention of domestic violence perpetrated specifically against Polish Roma was published by Asylum Aid's March 2002 report entitled Romani Women from Central and Eastern Europe: A 'Fourth World,' or Experience of Multiple Discrimination, which states:

There are currently no specific data on violence against Romani women in Poland, whether abuses are committed by state agents or non-Roma, or by Romani men. RWRP [Refugee Women's Resource Project] has not found any document relating to domestic violence within the Roma community or to the violations of their rights as women (Asylum Aid Mar. 2002, 128).

For information on the resources available to victims of domestic violence in general, please see POL100813.E of 30 December 2005.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Asylum Aid, Refugee Women's Resource Project. March 2002. Romani Women from Central and Eastern Europe: A 'Fourth World,' or Experience of Multiple Discrimination. http://www.asylumaid.org.uk/Publications/Roma%20reports/RWRP%20A%20Fourth%20World.pdf [Accessed 15 Dec. 2005]

The Polish Federation for Women and Family Planning [Warsaw], Pro Femina [Warsaw], the PSF Women's Centre [Warsaw], and the Women's Rights Centre [Warsaw] did not respond to requests for information within time constraints.

Internet Sites, including: Amnesty International (AI), The Baltic Gender Centre, The Economist [London], European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI), European Monitoring Center on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC), European Roma Rights Center (ERRC), The European Union (EU), Factiva, Freedom House, Human Rights Watch (HRW), The International Helsinki Federation (IHF), The Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights [Warsaw], The Network of East-West Women, The Open Society Institute, The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (Peacewomen.org), Women's Rights Centre, Women Watch, World News Connection (WNC).