Honour Based Abuse
Both women and men can experience abuse, threats and violence from their family or community to protect their family ‘honour’. But it is important to remember that there is no honour in controlling, threatening or harming others with violence.
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What is honour based abuse?
Honour based abuse can include:
- Verbal threats
- Violence
- Being forced to do things against your will
- Sexual or psychological abuse
There is no religious or cultural basis to this abuse or violence. It is a crime and we will take any information received about this subject seriously.
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I am the victim of honour based abuse or violence
If you are in fear of this kind of abuse or violence do not underestimate the seriousness of the situation. Honour based abuse violence takes lives. We take these issues seriously and we can and will help.
Contact us immediately if you are the victim of a crime linked to honour based abuse or violence. You can do this by using our Live Chat facility, which can be accessed by clicking the button on the right of the screen. You can see our chat opening hours here. If Live Chat is unavailable call us on 101.
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I am worried about a friend or family member
The warning signs of honour based abuse can include:
- Broken communication between victim and friends
- Absence from education or the workplace
- Criticism of the victim for ‘western’ adoption of dress or make-up
- Restrictions in leaving the house or being accompanied outside the home
- Depressive or suicidal tendencies in an otherwise happy person.
If you believe someone may be suffering, please do not underestimate the seriousness of the situation. Contact us immediately and tell us what you know.
Advice and Useful Links
Advice
As well as us, there are a whole range of support services that offer help, guidance and support around honour based abuse.
See your local list below:
Useful Links
- The Karma Nirvana charity helps and supports victims of honour based abuse. To find out more about the work they do, visit their website.
- Women’s Aid gives help and support to women who experience honour based abuse. Find the nearest service to you below:
- Birmingham and Solihull
- Sandwell
- Panahghar, an Urdu word for “safe house,” is a charity based in Coventry that aims to help Asian woman and their families in the region who have experienced honour based abuse. For more information, visit their website.
- Visit the Freedom Charity to learn more about how they protect young people who are at risk of honour based abuse.
- The SHARAN project looks to help vulnerable women from the South of Asia who have left home due to honour based abuse.
- Throughcare provide housing support to vulnerable people in the West Midlands. For more information visit their website.
- Find out more about The Haven Wolverhampton, a charity who provide support services to woman and children who suffer honour based abuse.
- The Southall Black Sisters is a charity based in London that helps defend the rights of Asian women who suffer honour based abuse.
- Find out more about the Ann Craft Trust, a charity that helps safeguard disabled people from abuse.
- Honour Based Abuse can also lead to sexual abuse. Find out more about the Coventry Rape and Sexual Assault Centre.
- Victim Support is an independent charity that help people affected by crime and traumatic events. They are not part of the police or any other criminal justice agency. Visit their website to see how they can help you, or call 0808 168 9111.
- If you would like support from agencies in your local area, you can search for them by visiting the Impact Pathways website.