Honour-based abuse and violence

Have you been affected by honour-based abuse or violence?

Honour-based abuse happens when someone harms, controls or punishes you because they believe your behaviour has brought shame on a family or community.

This type of abuse is often carried out by family members, partners or people within a close social or community group. It may involve pressure, threats or violence intended to control your choices and behaviour.

Honour-based abuse can happen to people of any age or gender, although women and girls are most commonly affected.

Nothing you have done or said justifies abuse. Honour is never a reason for someone to harm you.

If something like this is happening to you, support is available.

What honour-based abuse can involve

Honour-based abuse can take many forms and may involve more than one person. It can include:

• Forced marriage, including child marriage
• Domestic abuse or violence
• Harassment, threats or intimidation
• Being controlled, monitored or isolated from friends and support
• Being taken somewhere against your will, including abroad
• Female genital mutilation (FGM)
• Virginity testing
• Forced or coerced abortion

These behaviours are forms of abuse and are against the law in the UK.

Sometimes the people responsible may live in another country or pressure may come from multiple family members or community members.

Forced marriage

Everyone has the right to decide if, when and who they marry. A forced marriage happens when someone is pressured, threatened or manipulated into marriage without their full and free consent. Forced marriage is illegal in the UK.

Courts can issue a Forced Marriage Protection Order to help prevent a forced marriage or protect someone who has already been forced to marry. You can apply for this yourself, or someone can apply on your behalf.

Female genital mutilation (FGM)

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is when female genitalia are deliberately cut, injured or altered for non-medical reasons. FGM is illegal in the UK and is recognised as a form of child abuse and violence against women and girls. It can cause serious physical and emotional harm and long-term health problems.

Everyone has the right to control what happens to their body. If you’re worried that you or someone you know may be at risk, specialist support services can help.

How to get help safely

If you’re in immediate danger, call 999.

If you can’t speak when calling emergency services from a mobile phone, you can use the Silent Solution by pressing 55 when prompted.

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, you can use the textphone service 18000 to contact emergency services.

For advice and support:

Call us on 0800 876 6155.

Our opening hours:

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 8am – 6pm
• Wednesday: 8am – 8pm
• Saturday: 9am – 5pm
• Sunday: closed

If the person harming you checks your phone, computer or internet history, they may be able to see that you’ve been looking for help. This could put you at greater risk.

Before you contact any service, think about whether it’s safe to do so on your current device.

Safer ways to get help include:

• Call from a phone the person harming you doesn’t have access to – like a friend’s phone, a work phone or a public phone
• Visit a trusted friend or family member and use their computer
• Use a public computer at a library
• Delete your internet history after looking at support websites (but be aware this might raise suspicion if you normally don’t delete your history)
• Memorise important phone numbers so you don’t need to save them

Refuge has detailed guidance on technology-facilitated abuse and how to make your devices safer.

Specialist organisations:

Karma Nirvana – A national charity supporting people affected by honour-based abuse and forced marriage.
Phone: 0800 5999 247

The Halo Project – Provides specialist advice and support for people affected by honour-based abuse, forced marriage and FGM.
Phone: 01642 683 045

Freedom Charity – Offers confidential support and advice for people affected by honour-based abuse, forced marriage and FGM.
Phone: 0845 607 0133

Saheli – Provides refuge accommodation, counselling and specialist support for Black, Asian and minoritised women experiencing abuse.
Phone: 0161 945 4187
Email: help@saheli.org.uk

Greater Manchester Domestic Abuse Helpline – Provides confidential support for anyone aged 16 or over affected by domestic abuse, including honour-based abuse.
Phone: 0800 254 0909

Refuge – National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 24-hour confidential support for women experiencing abuse.
Phone: 0808 2000 247

Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) – A UK government service supporting people facing forced marriage in the UK or overseas.
Phone: 020 7008 0151
Email: fmu@fcdo.gov.uk

The Guardian Project (Greater Manchester) – Support service for women and girls at risk of, or affected by, female genital mutilation (FGM).

You can also speak to a GP, midwife, health visitor or other healthcare professional if you need help or advice.