Honour-based abuse: Statutory definition a ‘welcome’ and ‘crucial’ step

Measures announced by the Government include new statutory guidance to support professionals in identifying and responding, a community awareness campaign, a pilot study looking at the prevalence of abuse, as well as additional training for frontline professionals.

The announcement follows years of campaigning, including by specialist support organisation Karma Nirvana, as well as victims and bereaved families, such as the mother of 31-year-old Fawziyah Javed, who was murdered by her husband in 2021 after she tried to leave her marriage.

The Victims’ Commissioner said: “So-called honour-based abuse is a devastating crime, often leaving victims terrorised, isolated, and controlled by the very family and community that should be protecting them. The introduction of a statutory definition is a welcome and crucial next step in strengthening our collective response to this serious and complex abuse.

“The accompanying package of measures will ensure this crime is tackled in a joined-up way, helping victims access the support they need to flee and stay safe.

“This victory has been hard won by campaigners, families and survivors alike. I applaud their tireless dedication and commend the Government for taking this critical step.”

Recent statistics showed that 2,755 honour-based abuse-related offences were recorded by the police in England and Wales.

The Government is planning six new measures to tackle honour-based abuse in the UK:

• Legislating at the appropriate opportunity to introduce multi-agency statutory guidance and an accompanying statutory definition of honour-based abuse to support statutory agencies such as the police and social work to better identify honour-based abuse and encourage multi-agency working;
• Working with the National Centre for VAWG Public Protection to improve police risk assessment on honour-based abuse so officers can identify and respond to the risks posed to victims as early as possible;
• Launching a community engagement campaign to raise awareness of honour-based abuse and encourage people to come forward for support;
• Conducting a study to test the viability of producing a national prevalence estimate for forced marriage and FGM;
• Developing additional free e-learning modules for professionals who work with victims and perpetrators of honour-based abuse to improve their ability to spot the signs and their understanding of how to manage cases appropriately; and
• Continuing to fund and uplift funding to Karma Nirvana to deliver the national honour-based abuse helpline providing support and advice to victims, survivors and the professionals who help them.

To coincide with the Government’s announcement, Karma Nirvana welcomed the Minister for Safeguarding Jess Phillips MP to its offices in Leeds to highlight its life-saving work and what is needed to tackle honour-based abuse going forward.

Karma Nirvana has been campaigning for the introduction of a statutory definition accompanied by statutory guidance for honour-based abuse since the launch of its #Push4Change campaign on International Women’s Day in 2024, in memory of Fawziyah Javed.

The campaign is backed by more than 30 sector partners, and proposes a definition that was co-created with survivors, sector partners and legal experts to ensure the definition is legally sound.

“This announcement represents a critical step forward in tackling honour-based abuse in the UK,” said Karma Nirvana.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper 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. Make no mistake – we will use everything at our disposal to make sure perpetrators face justice and victims are protected.”

Assistant Chief Constable Emma James, national policing lead for honour-based abuse, said: “So-called ‘honour’-based abuse is a complex crime which often happens within community or family networks that many victims find it very difficult to speak out against and can face further threats, violence, or isolation if they do.

“That’s why it’s so important that policing works closely with other agencies to identify abuse and protect victims at the earliest opportunity. We welcome the announcements from the government today that will help policing pay its part in protecting the most vulnerable in our communities.”