Charity says plans to tackle honour-based abuse are a ‘positive step’
2,755 HBA-related offences were recorded in England and Wales last year
A Swindon charity is welcoming the Government's announcement that it will crack down on honour-based abuse.
Honour-based abuse is centred around the idea that the victim has brought shame to themselves, their family or the community.
Among the measures are the introduction of a legal definition and statutory guidelines.
Kate Rowland, CEO of Society Without Abuse, told Greatest Hits Radio: “Any guidance around this for professionals is a really positive step. It is a really big issue within the UK and it can affect lots of different communities as well.
“I think people automatically assume it only affects, for example, South Asian communities, or black and minority ethnic communities but that's not the case. Any abuse perpetrated in, say, honour of a community or a family is also honour-based abused.
“So, there can be quite a lot of misconceptions around it, so further guidance and further definitions, are always going to be a positive thing.”
The Home Office is planning to launch a pilot study to determine how widespread honour-based abuse is as well as a community awareness campaign.
The Government is also looking to improve training for teachers, police officers, social workers and healthcare professionals who might be dealing with victims or perpetrators.
“We know it is happening more than we probably see”, added Ms Rowland.
“It can be so difficult because very often you're not just faced with one perpetrator. There can be multiple people that you're at risk from, like family members and parents. Those people who you would hope to be able to look to to protect you can be the people who are perpetrating the abuse.
It can be life or death
“To speak out against your family, to speak out against your community is a very, very difficult thing to do, and often communities can be so very closed. So, to go outside of those communities to reach out for support can be very difficult.
“This is along with lots of other kinds of barriers around language and just barriers with systems and with organisations not being as good as they should be at reaching out, reaching into communities so people just don't know where to go to.”
Crimes related to honour-based abuse include female genital mutilation, forced marriage and murder.
In 2021, pregnant Fawziyah Javed died at the age of 31 when her husband pushed her from Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh after she had decided to leave the marriage.
“I am pleased that the Government has listened to our calls for a statutory definition of honour-based abuse, and that this change has been made in Fawziyah's memory”, said Yasmin Javed, Fawziyah’s mother.
"I hope that this will help many more people affected by HBA and ensure that the multiple perpetrators of this abuse are properly recognised and addressed."
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper added: "All forms of honour-based abuse are devastating crimes that can shatter lives. There is no 'honour' in them.
"For too long, these offences have often been misunderstood by professionals, resulting in victims not getting the support they deserve.”
Help available
If you’re affected by issues raised in this article, there is help available from your local domestic abuse service at www.womensaid.org.uk.
- The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247 (run by Refuge)
- The Men’s Advice Line, for male domestic abuse survivors is 0808 801 0327 (run by Respect)
- The National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0800 999 5428 (run by Galop)
If you are in immediate danger always call 999.