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17:15 28/11/2019
In recent years, there has been an increased awareness of so-called ‘honour based’ abuse, violence and forced marriage.
There is a huge range of crimes that may be classed as ‘honour based’ due to the reasons they are perpetrated and in the UK each year there are at least 12 so-called ‘honour based’ murders.
What is defined as ‘honour based’ abuse?
The CPS defines ‘honour based’ crime 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.”
Behaviours that may be classed ‘immoral’ can, but are not limited to, the following:
Unlike domestic abuse where it is typically one person abusing another, in cases of HBA and forced marriage the perpetrators can be one or many, including:
Crimes that may be committed as part of ‘honour based’ abuse or violence can be, but are not limited to:
What about Forced Marriage?
Forced marriage is separate criminal act which refers to a marriage that has been undertaken without one, or both individuals, consent.
There is a very big difference between an arranged marriage and a forced marriage. An arranged marriage is entered into freely by both people, although their families take a leading role in the choice of partner.
There are some signs that you may be the victim of a forced marriage.
In forcing a person to marry a person or group may commit a number of separate crimes including, harassment, kidnap and threats to kills.
What help and support is there?
As with many forms of domestic abuse, victims of such abuse may think they are powerless to leave a situation – sometimes for financial reasons, sometimes because of the emotional abuse they have been subject to, or because of fear of violence.
Whatever the situation there is always a person to talk to and there are many charities and groups specifically set up to help those who may be suffering, or at risk of suffering, ‘honour based’ abuse or violence or forced marriage.
Derby is home to the Karma Nirvana, an independent charity, which has a huge range of resources to help those who may be victims or those who may be worried that a loved one, colleague or neighbour may be at risk of abuse.
How to keep internet activity secret
Elements of ‘honour based’ abuse may include the checking of your phone or computer.
If you are accessing support websites then this is best done on a computer that the abuser does not have access to, at work or a local library for instance.
However, if this is not possible then you can find out how to how to keep you internet activity secret and how to delete websites and searches from your computer here: https://www.reducingtherisk.org.uk/cms/content/internet-safety