Introduction
So-called "honour-based" abuse is abuse that is perpetrated to protect or defend the honour of a family or community.
“Honour-based” abuse is often referred to as “so-called” because there is a need to be clear that there is no honour in abusing someone. As seen in the definition below, “honour-based” abuse is often carried out to prevent, or as a result of, the victim bringing shame on their family or the wider community. Transgressions can be relatively minor, but the consequences are significant potentially resulting in the victim’s death.
Although women are often seen as the main victims of “honour-based” abuse, men can be victims, too. More recently, there has been a move to highlight the under-reported issue of male victims of honour abuse. Male victims may be those deemed to be in an inappropriate relationship, gay or supporting the victim of other abuse.
This is not just something that affects adults, children can be victims of honour-based abuse as well.
Such abuse comes under the umbrella term of harmful practices.
Need more?
Thank you for visiting our resources pages. These are free to everyone as is our fortnightly safeguarding bulletin – general safeguarding information is too important to restrict. Become a member to access lots more, including training materials for you to deliver in-house on each topic in Keeping Children Safe in Education.
Sign up for FREE fortnightly bulletin.
What about training?
We can deliver training for your setting on this and other subjects via online platforms, or face-to-face in certain areas. Just get in touch to discuss your requirements.
Definition of honour-based abuse
“Honour-based abuse (HBA) is 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.”
The impact of shame
The majority of incidents of so-called “honour-based” abuse occur when it is perceived that the victim has brought or may bring shame on their family and/or on the wider community, in effect tarnishing the image of their family or community. “Honour-based” abuse is not linked to any specific community and cuts across various nationalities, cultures, faith groups and communities. The abuse may be ‘justified’ on grounds including that a person:
- has worn unapproved make-up or clothing;
- is having an unapproved relationship (girlfriend/boyfriend/same-sex);
- has engaged in intimacy in a public place;
- has rejected a forced marriage;
- is pregnant outside of marriage;
- has been a victim of rape;
- is in an inter-faith relationship;
- has left a spouse or sought a divorce.
Perpetrators of "honour-based" abuse
Although it can be the family who perceives that they have been wronged and had shame brought onto them by the actions of a family member, it should also be noted that there may be multiple perpetrators of so-called “honour-based” abuse. Relatives may conspire, support, or participate in acts of abuse as may members of the wider community. “Honour-based” abuse can include but is not limited to murder, attempted or actual forced marriage, domestic abuse, child abuse, rape, kidnapping, false imprisonment, assault, harassment and/or forced abortion.
Additional vulnerabilties
It is not just adults who can be victims of so-called “honour-based” abuse. Children can be victims as well. Transgressions may be significant events, such as pregnancy or a relationship that is not approved of, or may be considered to be relatively insignificant and the result of children and young people growing up in different cultures (for example, wanting to wear different clothes or make-up). Children with additional needs or who are part of the LGBTQ+ community may also be seen as bringing shame on the family potentially leading to them being victims of abuse.
Spot the signs
As with all types of abuse, you will know the children you work with, and if you have concerns these should be flagged to your designated safeguarding lead. Some potential indicators include:
- sudden absence from school;
- prolonged foreign travel;
- technology withdrawn;
- constantly chaperoned;
- changes in behaviour;
- physical injuries.
What to do
- If you are worried about a child/young person you must report it straightaway to your designated safeguarding lead.
- Ensure children/young people know the risks – talk about so-called “honour-based” abuse at an age- appropriate level in the same way we do about consent, drugs and other issues.
- Check children and young people have safe relationships – in their family, with their peers and with staff. Create an environment where it’s okay to talk even about the most difficult things.
- Know the signs and know what to do – use the checklists above, your safeguarding procedures, and be confident in raising “honour-based” abuse as a possibility.
- Take action – and keep taking action until you know children and young people are safe.
Resources
-
Victim Support – guidance on “honour-based” abuse for young people
Save time and improve your safeguarding approach…
Bite-size training materials to share with your staff every month.
Support to explore and develop your safeguarding culture.
A huge array of resources and professional experience at your fingertips.
Get in touch now for a personal tour of the site and details of membership benefits.
Memberships start at just £99+VAT a term.
We look forward to working with you.