'Don't rape, sexually assault or make kissing noises' at people, asylum seekers warned in guidance about living in UK

A guide for asylum seekers published by the Home Office has told them not to rape or sexually harass people, including partners and children.

The document tells people arriving in the UK after fleeing other countries that women are allowed to "earn their own money" and "make their own decisions about their lives".

Men appear to be the primary target for the instructions, although there are also resources for asylum seekers who think they may be victims of illegal behaviour.

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The guidance states that people are expected to not make sexual remarks about someone "even if you think it is a compliment", whistle or make "kissing sounds" at someone, follow someone or "block their path", make rude or offensive gestures, or "verbally abuse someone because of their gender, religion, or how they look".

The guidance warns throughout that breaking the law can lead to trouble with law enforcement, lead to someone losing accommodation or support, and could affect an asylum claim.

People are warned it's a serious crime to take or share sexual images without someone's consent. As well as the guidebook, a series of posters have been designed by the Home Office to inform asylum seekers.

The guidance was published in a nine-page document titled "Understanding behaviours and expectations in the UK: A guide for asylum seekers".

Sections include: gender equality, domestic abuse, sex and consent, and respect in public - as well as getting help and living in the UK.

Illegal migration and the visible issue of people crossing the Channel in small boats is a policy area the government is determined to look tough on, and these documents are understood to be part of a plan to ensure not knowing the law is not an excuse for illegal actions.

It has also been focused on by parties like the Conservatives and Reform UK, and there have been a series of high-profile criminal cases involving asylum seekers.

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."

Some 101,000 people claimed asylum in the year ending December 2025, 4% less than the previous year, with around 46,000 detected arrivals coming to Britain via illegal routes, such as small boats or other clandestine routes.

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Examples of the guidance in the document include a section stating that "everyone in the UK is expected to treat men and women equally" - and "even if you are a family member, like a husband, father or brother" you must never do things like stop a woman working or studying, control what she wears or where she goes, or make decisions for her without her agreement.

Domestic abuse is defined in the guidance as physical violence, threats, controlling behaviour, emotional abuse and taking away someone's documents.

Asylum seekers are told they are expected to treat family and their partners with respect, let them make their own choices, and never physically or verbally abuse or control them.

The sex and consent page explains that both people must consent to sex without threat or pressure, someone can change their mind at any time even if they agreed previously, and someone "asleep, drunk, or unable to respond" cannot consent.

It adds: "Consent is needed in every situation. This means even if you are married or in a relationship with someone, they must consent to sex every time."

The chapter says that people are expected to never use "threat, force or pressure" to make someone have sex, never try to have sex with someone who is asleep, drunk or unable to consent clearly, and to stop if someone says no or changes their mind.

It is mentioned that anyone under the age of 16 is considered a child and therefore legally cannot consent to having sex.

How to behave in public is also covered, with asylum seekers "told that people have different beliefs, religions, cultures, relationships and ways of life" and they must "treat others with respect, even if you disagree with their beliefs or how they live".

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Support numbers for victims are provided at the bottom of each section and in a chapter at the end of the document.

The Home Office declined to comment.

(c) Sky News 2026: 'Don't rape, sexually assault or make kissing noises' at people, asylum seekers warned in guidan