So-called Honour based violence (HBV) is described by the Crown Prosecution Service as…
“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 honour. Such violence can occur when perpetrators perceive that a relative has shamed the family and/or community by breaking their honour code.”
In plain terms, it’s where cultural rules and beliefs are enforced. To put “the family” to shame by dishonour these beliefs and rules means the individual is punished, by family or partners, for bringing shame to the family with as a consequence: violence, physical or emotional abuse, family disownment and in some cases even murder.
Under Honour Based Domestic Abuse & Violence also falls the crime of forced marriage.
Examples of this type of abuse are incredibly varied but to give an idea of what someone might experience:
- Kidnap and abduction.
- Forced abortion.
- Rape and sexual assault.
- Imprisonment (at a home).
- Domestic abuse: like any of the types we have covered in this section such as physical, emotional, financial, sexual and coercive control.
- Denial of access to children.
- Pressure to move abroad.
- Restriction of access to the outside world.
- Isolation from friends and family.
- Threats to kill or maim.
- Be treated as a slave.
If you feel you are affected by any of the above, do seek support! You are not alone and we are here to help, click here to get in touch.