FoI reveals extent of `honour` violence
There were more than 11,000 honour-based violence cases recorded by the police between 2010 and 2014.
There were more than 11,000 honour-based violence cases recorded by the police between 2010 and 2014.
A Freedom of Information request from the Iranian and Kurdish Womens Rights Organisation (IKWRO) found the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) received the highest number of reports with 2,188.
West Midlands Police and Bedfordshire Police also recorded high levels of honour-based violence, with 1,269 and 1,106 cases respectively. Cases were recorded in every force.
Her Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) is currently reviewing honour-based violence, the first the organisation has ever undertaken on the subject.
Diana Nammi, executive director of IKWRO, said: The figures show that honour crimes remain consistently high, are happening across the country and that the issue is not going away. They demonstrate the extent of need from vulnerable women and girls for protection and support and, positively, show that many have seen the light at the end of the tunnel and sought help.
But unfortunately the figures do not even show the real extent of the problem. So many crimes are never reported because the perpetrators are the victims own families and/or community members, who often have convinced them that going to the police is shameful and they fear retribution.
As an organisation supporting thousands of women and girls at risk, we have seen improvements across many police forces and there are some excellent officers, but this is not good enough. The risks can be so severe, even resulting in honour killing, that there is no room for error.
She also called for a national strategy across the police, the legal system, social services, housing and health and education to tackle the issue.
The National Police Chiefs Council lead on honour-based abuse, Commander Mak Chishty, said work to address the issue is underway.
The police service is alert to the issue of honour-based abuse in all its forms and is looking carefully at ways of tackling the problem, both in terms of direct policing and through working in partnership with communities and other agencies to build on successes and take on board lessons to be learned.
The College of Policing has developed modules on honour-based abuse which now form part of police training and we are in constant contact with experts and partner groups to ensure that we are responding as effectively as possible.
Honour-based abuse is a distressing crime which blights, and in some cases takes, lives. We are committed to playing our part in eradicating it. We are encouraged by increased levels of reporting but concerned that this remains an under-reported crime. I want to send a message to victims and survivors: You do not need to suffer in silence. We are skilled and ready to help you and will always put the victim at the centre of our work. Please, come forward and talk to us.