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  Honour-based abuse

25 April 2013

Honour-based abuse is an international term used to describe abuse and violence committed in order to protect or defend family or community ‘honour’.   

 

Honour-based abuse will often go hand-in-hand with forced marriages, although this is not always the case. Honour crimes and forced marriages are already covered by the law, and can involve a range of criminal offences.
 

Female genital mutilation 

This is a collective term used for procedures, such as female circumcision, which include the partial or total removal of the external female genital organs, or injury to the female genital organs for a cultural or non-therapeutic reason.  

 

Forced marriage 

A forced marriage is when one or both parties do not consent to the marriage and are forced into marriage against their will. There could be physical and emotional abuse used to coerce you into the marriage. Forced marriage is an abuse of human rights.
 
Forced marriage is not the same as an arranged marriage, where you have a choice as to whether to accept the arrangement or not. Arranged marriages operate successfully in many communities and countries.
 
If someone you know is being forced into a marriage either in the UK or abroad, contact either Essex Police on 101, the Forced Marriage Unit on 0207 008 0151 or by emailing fmu@fco.gov.uk.
 
If you wish to find out more about the Forced Marriage Unit visit:
 

Warning signs

Warning signs of someone being at risk of a forced marriage include:
  • extended absence from school/college, truancy, a drop in performance, low motivation, excessive parental restriction, a history of brothers/sisters leaving education early to marry and control of movements
  • poor attendance in the workplace, poor performance, parental control of income and limited career choices
  • evidence of self-harm, treatment for depression, attempted suicide, social isolation, eating disorders or substance abuse
  • evidence of family disputes/conflict, domestic violence/abuse or running away from home

 

    Contacts

Victims of these crimes do not have to suffer in silence and are urged to contact one of the following agencies: