Refugees claim abuse after publicity

The asylum issue has provoked strong emotions

Two refugee families in Nottingham are claiming they have been abused after their pictures appeared in a local newspaper.

A child from Kurdistan has allegedly been victimised and a woman from Cameroon verbally abused in the street.

They were both photographed at the opening of a new support centre for asylum seekers.

The tea-house at St Peter's Church provides advice and support for women who've been forced to flee their home countries.

One of the victims - who did not want to be identified - told BBC Radio Nottingham that ignorance was the root cause of her abusive treatment.

She said: "People don't understand. I think the public should have more awareness about people coming here to seek asylum.

"It's not that we don't have anything in our countries.

"It's a weird situation, we are here almost by accident."