Appeal: Help Me Stay
Camille Natta
My
name is Camille Natta I am from Jamaica pictured here with my present partner
Christopher Jones and my son Jordon. During my marriage to my first partner I
can honestly say, it was a horrible nightmare. I was treated and made to feel
like nothing by him. I suffered mental, verbal and physical abuse, punished by
having things taken away from me if I didn't do as I was told, the mattress
taken off the bed, so me and my son had to sleep on the floor.
Food was locked away from me, the fuse taken out the washing machine so I had
to wash mine and my son's clothing by hand, he unscrewed the light bulb in the
room so "I couldn't use his light". These are just some of the things we were
put through.
I say we because, my little boy was witness to what was going on, which would
visibly distress him, at times screaming and crying when he saw how upset I
was. On occasions my husband attacked me whilst my son was in my arms,
actually knocking him from my arms once.
On several occasions I called the police, because it got that bad. Though I
didn't actually say to the police "I am suffering domestic violence", I used
the police as a "deterrent" - every time the police came, he would be good for
a time, promising he loves me and our son, and he wants to be a family. I
believed him - what choice did I have.
Please understand I was dependent on him for everything, supported by the fact
I had a young son and for periods of time I wasn't allowed to work because of
my immigration status.
After an incident where he attacked me while my son was in my arms, I was
taken by the police to a hostel for women who suffered domestic violence.
However after a few days, I went back to my husband, as we are not allowed
benefits because of our immigration status and I had no other means of
supporting my son and myself.
In 2003 I was granted two year probationary period by the Home Office. Please
note the period of time to when I got married and the application being sent
off (got married in September 2001, my visa extension was up in September of
that same year) - the application was only sent off in 2003. This was because
I needed my husband to support the application and it was always a case of
you'll wait until I'm good and ready, playing on my fear of being thrown out
the country.
Over the next couple of months bouts of abuse continued towards me but I
stayed because my belief was I had no other choice.
I thought that's the way my life was going to be. At times I felt as if my
head was going to burst from the worry and the stress of what was happening,
made worst by the fact we lived in the same house and at times their was
barely a word spoken between us. I was so tired of living like this. I was so
worried for my son, seeing us living like this, this wasn't the example I
wanted for him, thinking that it was normal for mommies and daddies to live
like that.
In August 2004, I started working for my local council as a carer. Within that
time, I met my now partner. We were initially work colleagues but we became
friends. I often spoke to him about what I was going through and my concerns
for my son, living in such a atmosphere. Our friendship turned into a serious
relationship in December 2004 and in February 2005 my son and I moved in with
him and we've been a family ever since. He's my rock, he's my emotional
support, he takes care of me, he takes care of my son as only a dad would.
On the 10/10/05 an application for indefinite leave to remain here was
submitted to the home office based on me suffering domestic violence from my
husband. It was refused because the evidence I provided showed the abuse
against me didn't happen in the two year probationary period, therefore the
application did not comply with the requirements of the rule.
I appealed against the decision and also on additional grounds that I now have
an existing family life with my partner, only for it to be dismissed by the
appeals judge because the evidence did not establish that domestic violence
caused the break down of the marriage before the probationary period. The
judge did accept that a family life exists between me and my partner and
returning me to Jamaica would clearly be an interference with the right to a
family life and would be of such gravity as to engage article 8 of the human
rights convention.
However the decision he came to is for immigration control and is in
accordance with the law. He also concluded that my son, who is a British
citizen, would have no problem living in Jamaica because "his father
originates from the west Indies", though I must add, his biological father who
is a British citizen has lived in the United Kingdom since he was a child.
If I may also note at the appeals hearing the representative for the Home
Office came over to me and apologized to me in front of my solicitor and
partner saying she was sorry for asking me the questions and she believed that
I was a victim of domestic violence.
My intentions are to raise my family here, for my son to go to school here,
but all that can be taken away because I choose not remain in an abusive
relationship.
For the sake of my sanity and health, for the sake of my child who I didn't
want to be in that environment any longer, we now enjoy a happy family life
together, all three of us, we are so happy together, we do things together as
a family.
I am very eager to continue with my family life in England and as I said
before, my partner is our only support ; he as played a very important role in
my son's life in the last eighteen months during which my son as been
estranged from his biological father. My son as been diagnosed with having a
speech problem and is currently seeing a therapist.
If we were to return to Jamaica, I would have no means to pay for my son's
therapy, I will have no means to support my son and I.
I have never been a burden to the system over here. If anything, I value my
independence after all I've been through with my husband.
I believe that through my job, when I can work, I am providing a much need
service to some of Britain's most variable people in my community - as a care
assistant I care for people physically and emotionally and believe that I can
continue to contribute to this country as I am able bodied and am prepared to
work to support my family.
I have always worked and paid tax when my visa allowed. We also live in our
own home. All I want is a chance to live and work and to continue with our
lives. I don't want to be separated from my partner, who I love to bits. My
son is very close to my partner, he's our only support. My son is in a stable
loving environment, he's been through so much, he's registered to start full
time education in September.
My son should not be punished because his parentage or because the
relationship between his father and I broke down. It was my wish that my son
should grow up with his biological father, but it was not to be, not because
of our own choice.
My son has only ever known England as his home. My new partner represents the
much needed father figure that has always been missing in my son's life.
Because of his positive impact my son is now settled and a very happy child.
I don't want another upheaval. I'm asking for help from anyone, any group out
here for help with this campaign. At the minute it's only me and my family
Thank you,
Camille and family.
What you can do to help Camille to Stay in the UK
Camille, with the help of West Midlands Anti-deportation Campaigns (WMADC),
has started a campaign to keep her in the UK.
Resources can be found (care of the National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns) by following these links Model letter and Petition.
We are asking you to print off
copies and circulate them to your Union/faith group/local community group
every signature will help.
Return completed model letters/petitions to the campaign office (address
below). When enough signatures are gathered a local MP will be asked to
present them to the Home Office.
Camille Must Stay
C/oWMADC
110 Hamstead Road Birmingham
B20 2QS Website
December 2006
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