A new study has found the true extent to which veiled women bear the brunt of anti-Muslim abuse in the UK.

Led by the University of Leicester it offers a unique insight into the experiences of veiled Muslim women as victims of Islamophobia, and the impact of this victimisation upon their families and wider Muslim communities.

I'slamophobia, Victimisation and the Veil' is a new book by Irene Zempi and Neil Chakraborti from the University of Leicester.

Irene said: ‘‘In a post-9/11 climate, veiled Muslim women are vulnerable to Islamophobic attacks in public because they are easily identifiable as Muslims.

“As with other forms of hate crime, Islamophobic victimisation falls under the police and local authority ‘radar’.

“The fact that it is such an under-reported phenomenon and under-researched topic means that victims of Islamophobia often suffer in silence.

“Our research reveals how Islamophobic victimisation is experienced as ‘part and parcel’ of wearing the veil, rather than as isolated ‘one-off’ incidents, and how repeat incidents of supposedly ‘low-level’ forms of hostility such as name-calling, persistent staring and other types of intimidatory behaviour place a potentially huge emotional burden on victims.

“The actual and potential threat of Islamophobic abuse and violence has long-lasting effects for veiled Muslim women, making them afraid to leave their house.’’ Victims were quoted as saying, “We’ve been made to feel that we are totally unwanted. It’s like we are a virus to the community.”

“I am walking down the road and people look at me like they’ve seen an alien.”

“Ripping my veil off was a very personal attack. It felt like a sexual attack.”

“Everything is a prison now. That’s what it is, my life has become like a prison; everywhere is a prison. I’m forced to stay in my home so they have made me a prisoner. They are oppressing me.”

Published by Palgrave Macmillan, it is based on research which explores the vulnerability of veiled Muslim women as actual and potential victims to acts of Islamophobic hate and prejudice in public places.

In the light of the nature of and wider harms associated with this form of victimisation, the academic researchers make the case for a more effective approach to engaging with veiled Muslim women as victims of Islamophobia; one which recognises their multiple vulnerabilities and which takes into consideration their distinct cultural and religious needs.

For example, access to female police officers and support workers is an important need for some veiled Muslim women who will not otherwise access these services.

Irene added: “The book offers a unique insight into the gendered dimensions of Islamophobia and the vulnerability of veiled Muslim women as victims of hate and prejudice in public places.

“Based on cutting-edge empirical research, the findings raise academic, policy and public awareness of the growing problem of Islamophobia.’’