"If you have sex with someone who does not want to, this is called rape."
Asylum seekers have been told that rape, sexual harassment and domestic abuse are illegal in the UK in new guidance published by the Home Office.
The nine-page online booklet explains expectations around respect in public, sex and consent, gender equality and relationships. It also highlights how UK laws and social norms may differ from those in other countries.
The guidance says asylum seekers must understand UK law because breaking it could have serious consequences. These include getting into trouble with the police, losing asylum support or affecting an asylum claim.
A section on gender explains that women in the UK have equal rights to men. It says women do not need permission from a husband, father, brother or another man to work, study, travel or make decisions.
The guidance also states that men and women are treated equally by the law, employers, schools, hospitals and the police.
On sex and consent, the booklet says both people must agree to sexual activity or sexual contact of any kind. It explains that consent cannot be given when someone is asleep, drunk or unable to respond.
The document says: “If you have sex with someone who does not want to, this is called rape. Rape is a serious crime.
“It is still rape if: You are married to the person or in a relationship. They agreed once, but changed their mind.”
The booklet also addresses behaviour in public, saying it is unacceptable to whistle or make kissing noises at people on the street.
It also says people should not “make sexual comments to someone, even if you think it is a compliment”.
The guidance provides contact details for organisations supporting victims and people seeking help with the issues covered.
The publication has prompted criticism from opposition parties, while campaigners have questioned whether singling out asylum seekers in this way could reinforce negative perceptions.
Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said:
“Instead of trying to train these mainly young, male illegal immigrants behave in a civilised way towards women, they should be deported.”
Mr Philp called for deportations rather than attempting to change existing behaviour, adding:
“Immigrants are coming from places and societies where attitudes towards women can be completely incompatible with Western society.
“Too many communities are failing to properly integrate and become part of our culture, leaving frankly backwards standards to prevail.”
Reform UK’s home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf called the document “a disgrace”, saying:
“I genuinely cannot believe what I have just read.
“The government has just published a handy guide for illegal migrants on how not to be a rapist, not to be a paedophile, how not to beat women and how to leave babies alone.
“That again may be really hard to believe but that is exactly what they have just done.”
The government defended the guidance and stressed that people arriving in the UK are expected to follow British law.
The Home Office said: “We expect everyone who comes to the UK to abide by our laws. If they do not, they will face consequences, including the refusal of their asylum claim and removal from the UK.”
Government figures show that nearly 70,000 people with no right to remain in the UK, including foreign national offenders, have been removed or deported since Labour came to power in July 2024.
The Home Office says this represents a 41% increase compared with the equivalent period under the previous government.
Nearly 10,000 foreign criminals, including murderers and rapists, have been removed since the last election, representing a 36% increase on the previous 21 months.
Jacqueline McKenzie, head of immigration and asylum law at Leigh Day, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the material is “problematic, it’s inflammatory but done well it could be useful”.
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said the government was “finally recognising that there’s an issue” but questioned what action would be taken.
Louise Calvey, executive director of the Asylum Matters charity, also criticised the approach:
“By singling out people seeking sanctuary as in particular need of basic instruction not to commit abuse or sexual violence, the government is fuelling hostility, suspicion and racism, instead of doing any real work to promote understanding or safety.”
The publication comes as the UK continues to process a large number of asylum claims.
Home Office statistics show that 93,525 people claimed asylum in the year ending March 2026, a 12% decrease from the previous year.
Of those claiming asylum during the period, 39% of initial decisions resulted in refugee status being granted, according to the latest government figures.
