“She made me feel safe. The stress really left me.” 

*Sierra came to the UK from Morocco after marrying her British husband. A qualified dentist and now expecting her first baby, she hoped to build a safe and stable life here. Instead, her marriage became abusive. 

Sierra experienced emotional, psychological, verbal and sexual abuse. When the relationship broke down, she was pregnant, frightened and unsure what would happen next. She contacted the police, sought medical support, and later moved into a refuge for her safety. 

Because Sierra had come to the UK on a spouse visa, leaving the relationship also made her immigration position uncertain. She was granted temporary leave under the Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession, but needed specialist legal advice to apply for indefinite leave to remain as a victim of domestic abuse. 

Sierra remembers feeling lost before she found support. 

“All that time, I didn’t know what kind of thing I had to do because I cancelled my spouse visa and applied by myself. It was so hard to find a good solicitor to be helpful. Then when I reached the refuge, they told me Ellie was a good solicitor.” 

She said the process felt overwhelming, especially because it involved both immigration law and domestic abuse. 

“I had no idea, honestly, especially as it related to domestic violence. I was just thinking and fearing what was going to happen. Everything felt temporary.” 

Ellie, one of our immigration solicitors, helped Sierra prepare her application. She explained each stage clearly, gathered the evidence needed, and arranged an interpreter to make sure Sierra could fully understand and participate in the process. 

“She explained step by step. I liked that a lot. Step one, step two, so I was not confused. I knew what we were doing. She found an interpreter because she didn’t want any mistakes, and that made me feel relaxed. The stress really left me.” 

In November 2025, Sierra was granted indefinite leave to remain. 

For Sierra, the decision meant safety, stability and the chance to rebuild her life. 

“To be honest, I was thinking she did amazing. She worked really hard. That was the result of having a solicitor who really pays attention to every single thing. She was so careful. I was so happy.” 

The outcome has allowed Sierra to look to the future with hope. 

“I wanted to continue my studies, complete my qualifications, have my baby, and be safe. It made me extremely happy.” 

Reflecting on her journey, Sierra said the support she received helped her feel like herself again. 

“Getting help and getting another chance at life, feeling stable, going back to being myself. When someone goes from wanting to harm themselves to going back to happiness and hope, it’s really indescribable.” 

Sierra’s story shows how expert legal advice can help survivors of domestic abuse secure safety, independence and the chance to move forward. 

*Name has been changed.