Asylum seekers are being targeted – and so are those who help them. It’s a disturbing new reality | Enver Solomon

<p>Far-right influencers are menacing charities and individuals to further isolate the people we work with. Ensuring safety is now part of the job</p><p>In today’s social media age, one version of events spreads like wildfire. So it is fast becoming accepted in the national conversation that all men risking life and limb to cross the Channel in flimsy vessels are dangerous people who are likely to abuse women and girls. The leader of the opposition, Kemi Badenoch, <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/high-court-epping-kemi-badenoch-london-mothers-b2806289.html">went so far as to say</a> that, because of rising numbers coming in small boats, women had “stopped jogging in the park because there are men lurking in bushes”.</p><p>As the political rhetoric has become more toxic, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/aug/19/high-court-judge-orders-closure-of-essex-asylum-hotel-after-far-right-protests">especially this week</a>, the real-world consequences for those inside the hotels and for organisations like my own and many others in the charity and statutory sector become more dire.</p><p>Enver Solomon is chief executive of the Refugee Council</p><p><em><strong>Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/letters">letters</a> section, please <a href="mailto:mailto:guardian.letters@theguardian.com?body=Please%20include%20your%20name,%20full%20postal%20address%20and%20phone%20number%20underneath%20your%20letter.%20Letters%20are%20usually%20published%20with%20the%20author’s%20name%20and%20city/town/village.%20The%20rest%20of%20the%20information%20is%20for%20verification%20only%20and%20to%20contact%20you%20if%20your%20letter%20is%20used."&