So-called 'honour' based violence and related abuse

If you are in immediate danger, have been physically hurt, or are worried that you are about to be taken out of the country against your will, call 999 for emergency help.

So-called 'honour-based' violence
Forced marriage
Female genital mutilation/cutting
Where to go for more help and advice

So-called 'honour-based' violence

The Metropolitan Police define this as: "a crime or incident which has or may have been committed to protect or defend the honour of the family and/or community." It is based on unequal gender roles, where women aren't allowed to make their own decisions about their lives.

There is no religious basis to HBV and FM. They are widely condemned by all religious faiths and communities.

Like domestic abuse, it can be physical, mental, emotional, financial and sexual. It's usually in response to behaviour which is seen to bring shame/izzat/namous/sharaf on the family and/or community.

This behaviour might include:

• running away, coming home late
• ideological differences between parents and children
• Westernisation
• refusing arranged marriage
• relationships outside marriage
• relationships outside the approved group
• ‘Inappropriate’ make up or dress
• losing of virginity
• pregnancy
• homosexuality
• reporting/fleeing domestic violence, forced marriage
• girls who ‘allow themselves to be raped’
• causing gossip.

Sometimes a rumour about a family member doing one or more of the above is enough to elicit an abusive reaction.

Unlike domestic abuse where it is typically one person abusing another, in cases of HBV & FM the perpetrators can be one or many including parents, grandparents, siblings, members of the community, aunts/uncles/cousins etc.

Crimes committed:

• false imprisonment or kidnap
• ABH or GBH
• threats to kill
• harassment and stalking
• sexual assault
• rape
• female genital mutilation
• forced to commit suicide
• murder

For every crime committed there are also numerous incidents of bullying, emotional and psychological abuse. Some victims have very restricted movements and are under constant supervision having little contact with the outside world.

For help and advice, call the Honour network helpline on 0800 5999 247

Forced marriage

A forced marriage is where you are forced into marrying someone you don’t want to, against your wishes. This often involves being taken overseas. It may also involve physical violence or threats, emotional blackmail, and even sexual abuse. You may be taken out of the country without knowing why you’re being taken, or have your passport taken away so you can’t leave.

Forced marriage is not the same as an arranged marriage, where you have a free choice over whether or not you marry the person chosen for you.

The Forced Marriage Unit offers advice on what to think about if you are worried that you might be forced into a marriage after being taken overseas.

Once you’re there you may:

• be isolated
• face emotional pressure
• be watched all the time
• have no money
• not have your passport or ticket
• be a long way from a telephone

If you still decide to go you should make sure you leave the following with a trusted friend:

• Full address and telephone number of where you are going to stay abroad
• Your passport details
• All your flight details (there and back)

Find out where the nearest embassy is and keep the phone number with you at all times.

If you can, take some money with you.

If you want to talk more about your options, call the Forced Marriage Unit Helpline 020 7008 0151. You can also call this number if you are worried about someone else who has not returned from overseas.

For more help or advice, called the Forced Marriage Helpine on 020 7008 0151 (UK) or 0044 20 7008 0151 (overseas)

Female genital mutilation

Female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female circumcision or female genital cutting, is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the range of procedures which involve "the partial or complete removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs whether for cultural or any other non-therapeutic reason."

Forward UK, who work to eliminate this, estimate that 138 million African women world-wide have experienced FGM, and a further 2 million a year are at risk; they also estimate that around 6,500 girls in the UK are at risk every year.

For more help and advice, call Forward UK on 0208 960 4000

For more help and advice

Forced marriage unit: advice for victims and professionals.
Forced marriage unit survivor’s handbook
Forced marriage unit helpline (UK) 020 7008 0151
Forced marriage unit helpline (overseas) 0044 20 7008 0151
Honour network helpline 0800 5999 247
Forward UK 0208 960 4000: support for victims of FGM