Hello,

My name is Elaine and over the past year I have been trying to help a friend who has been trapped in Libya with her young daughter.

She has been trapped there by her husband in an attempt to control her and deny her access to her remaining children in the UK. He has been using emotional abuse and coercive behaviour to confuse her about her immigration status and has been denying her access to her and her daughter’s travel documents and eVisa. He has also made her sign a contract of obedience towards him.

Recently her husband went against her wishes and brought 3 of her children from the UK to Libya. The children did not know and were terrified when they arrived in Libya and taken to Tripoli which is incredibly dangerous due to missiles and gunfire from the current conflict. When they arrived he gave the children's passports to the Militia to prevent them from returning to the UK. The children are heartbroken at the idea that they may never be able to return to their home, their friends and their schools.

We have seeked support from the Home Office, Evisa Support, various charities, Social Services and the Police. My friend escaped Libya to seek help at The British Embassy in Tunisia but was turned away. When we asked for help from the Libyan Consulate in London and explained the abuse that was happening, they responded by informing my friend's husband of the report. This irresponsible action has now put her at further risk.

We have found an incredible lawyer who has offered to take on this case but we need to raise money for the fees. She will be able to escalate this complicated case to High Court.

We need your help to get the professional help we need to end this abuse and reunite the family.

Many details have been left vague in this description to protect the family.