Ministers are introducing a clearer legal definition of “honour”-based abuse in an attempt to catch more perpetrators and protect women and girls from violence and coercion.
The law change is intended to improve how public services respond to “honour”-based abuse in England and Wales, and forms part of Labour’s plan for change, which includes a pledge to halve violence against women and girls.
Teachers, police officers, social workers and healthcare workers will receive training to spot the signs of “honour”-based abuse and better support victims, while an awareness-raising campaign will encourage victims to come forward.
Yvette Cooper, the home secretary, said: “All forms of ‘honour’-based abuse are devastating crimes that can shatter lives. There is no ‘honour’ in them. For too long, these offences have often been misunderstood by professionals, resulting in victims not getting the support they deserve.
“Today we are announcing measures to put an end to this and shining a light on this debilitating abuse. This marks a crucial step in this government’s landmark mission to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.”
As part of the changes, the national centre for violence against women and girls and public protection is working with the police to improve how officers assess the risks posed by “honour”-based abuse offenders. The Home Office will also pilot a study looking at how widespread this crime is.
Emma James, the national policing lead for “honour”-based abuse, said it was a “complex crime” that often happened within community or family networks, making it difficult for victims to speak out for fear of further threats, violence and isolation.
“That’s why it’s so important that policing works closely with other agencies to identify abuse and protect victims at the earliest opportunity,” she said.
Recent statistics showed that 2,755 offences related to “honour”-based abuse were recorded by the police in England and Wales, including killings, female genital mutilation and forced marriage. Figures published last year found that the number of “honour”-based abuse offences recorded by English police forces had increased by more than 60% in two years, thought to be due to more victims coming forward, as well as political polarisation.
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Earlier this year, the joint Home Office and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office forced marriage unit launched a new plan to improve support to victims of forced marriage and the professionals who help them.
The measures have been backed by Karma Nirvana, which the government funds to run the national HBA helpline, and 22 other organisations. Natasha Rattu, the charity’s executive director, hailed the move as a “landmark moment” after years of campaigning for a statutory definition.
“This step will mean victims are no longer overlooked but seen, heard and supported, while professionals are better equipped to act,” she said.
Payzee Mahmod, a campaigner who is a survivor of child marriage and “honour”-based abuse, and whose sister, Banaz, died in an “honour”-based killing, added: “I know how vital it is that professionals from the police to social workers and teachers have the clarity and tools they need to recognise this abuse and act quickly to protect those at risk. This step represents meaningful progress towards better safeguarding and ensuring that survivors are properly seen, heard and supported,” she said.
Yasmin Javed, whose daughter Fawziyah Javed was pushed off Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, Scotland by her husband after learning she was pregnant and had planned to leave the marriage, said she was “pleased” the government had listened to calls from campaigners. “I hope that this will help many more people affected by HBA and ensure that the multiple perpetrators of this abuse are properly recognised and addressed,” she added.
