4.15 ‘Honour’ Based Abuse

 1. Definition of ‘Honour’ Based Abuse

The Crown Prosecution Service defines ‘honour’ based abuse as ‘an incident or crime involving violence, threats of violence, intimidation coercion or abuse (including psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional abuse) which has or may have been committed to protect or defend the honour of an individual, family and / or community for alleged or perceived breaches of the family and / or community’s code of behaviour.’

It can be a collection of practices, which are used to control behaviour within families or other social groups to protect perceived cultural and religious beliefs and / or so-called ‘honour’. Such violence and abuse can occur when perpetrators perceive that a relative has shamed the family and / or community by breaking their code of ‘honour’.

Victims are usually girls or women, but not exclusively so. Males may also be victims.

HBV is a violation of human rights; it may also be a form of domestic and / or sexual violence. There is no honour or justification for abusing the human rights of others, nor can there be. There is no specific offence of ‘honour’ based abuse. It is an umbrella term to encompass various offences covered by existing legislation.

 2. Common Triggers

Behaviour by a child which may be deemed by their family / community as breaching their code of ‘honour’ include:

• wearing make-up or dress deemed inappropriate;
• spending time without supervision from a family member;
• being intimate with someone in public;
• having a boyfriend/girlfriend, including loss of virginity;
• having a relationship/s with people outside of the approved group;
• being in a gay relationship;
• reporting domestic abuse;
• rejecting a forced marriage;
• leaving a spouse, seeking a divorce or refusing to divorce when ordered to do so by family members;
• applying for custody of children following separation or divorce;
• pregnancy outside of marriage.

Males may be targeted either by the family of a female who they are believed to have ‘dishonoured’, in which case both parties may be at risk, or by their own family if they are believed to be homosexual.

HBV is not a crime which is solely perpetrated by men; sometimes female relatives will support, incite or assist. It is also not unusual for younger relatives to be selected to undertake the abuse as a way to protect senior members of the family. Sometimes contract killers can be employed.

Shame may persist for a long time after the incident that was deemed to be dishonourable occurred. This may result in a new partner of a victim, their children, associates or siblings also being at risk.

 3. ‘Honour’ Based Killings

‘Honour’ based abuse usually involves threats, intimidation and violence in an effort to get the victim to conform to the desired behaviour. These can escalate where deemed to be unsuccessful. On occasion, it may result in murder, which may involve premeditation, family conspiracy and a belief that the victim deserved to die.

In addition to information in Section 2, Common Triggers, incidents that may precede a killing include:

• denied access to the telephone, internet, passport, friends;
• house arrest and / or other excessive restrictions;
• pressure to go abroad;
• domestic abuse;
• threats to kill.

In some circumstances a victim’s immigration status may be used to dissuade them from seeking assistance from authorities.

Victims may suffer in isolation, resulting in depression and attempt suicide.

 4. Responding to Concerns about ‘Honour’ Based Abuse

When dealing with potential victims of ‘honour based abuse’, it is essential that practitioners understand the seriousness of the situation and that immediate, but discreet, action is required (see Referrals and Immediate Protection chapters).

If a child discloses that they, or someone else, are at risk of ‘honour’ based abuse, the professional should:

• speak with them in a setting that is confidential and where they cannot be overheard;
• ensure that family members are not present;
• take the disclosure seriously, and reassure them as such;
  explain the limits of confidentiality and that a referral to the police and local authority will have to be made;
• obtain sufficient information to make a referral to children’s safeguarding team and the police;
• agree method/s of maintaining contact. It is the responsibility of the police to initiate and undertake a criminal investigation as appropriate. This should be made clear during multi-agency discussions, as well as the roles and responsibilities of other involved practitioners.

Immediate steps must be taken as appropriate to ensure the immediate safety of the child. Consideration should be given to any other children in the family and their immediate safety.

Practitioners should ensure that they make a full record of all discussions, with whom these take place and any actions taken including referrals to other agencies. They should also seek support from their manager or safeguarding lead as per their agency protocol

Victims are sometimes persuaded to relocate under false pretences, where the intention may be to either stop them from contacting the authorities or to kill them. If a child is taken abroad, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office may assist in repatriating them back to the UK.

Practitioners should not approach the family or community leaders, share any information with them or attempt any form of mediation.