What is Honour Based Abuse?
Honour based abuse is a collection of practices used to control behaviour within families and/or communities, to protect their idea of 'honour'. Violence can occur when perpetrators perceive that a relative has shamed the family and/or community by breaking their ‘honour code’. This could be through lifestyle choices, relationships, leaving a religion, defying authority or expressing your sexual/gender identity.
Honour based abuse cuts across all cultures, nationalities, faith groups and communities. It is important to remember that, despite the use of this label, there can be no ‘honour’ in abuse. Where culture or tradition is used to exert power or control over others, this can only be a misuse of that culture.
Honour based abuse might include:
- Physical abuse (kicking and beating)
- Psychological pressure (strict monitoring, humiliation, threats)
- Forced Marriage
- Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
- Abandonment (leaving someone in their country of origin or sending them back there)
- Forced suicide or honour killings (murder)
Are you in immediate danger?
Always call 999 if you are seriously injured or you feel your life is at risk.
If you can, get yourself to a safe space where there are other people around - like a library, shop or pharmacy.
On campus, you can contact Security via the SafeZone app or by calling 0116 252 2023
What can I do if I think I am experiencing Honour Based Abuse?
If you are a student at the University, you can speak to the Standing Together team for support. You can make a disclosure via Report and Support, and a member of the team will be in touch.
If you don't want to speak to someone at the university, you can also access support in the community:
- Karma Nirvana (0800 5999 247) - supporting victims of Honour Based Abuse and Forced Marriage
- Forced Marriage Unit (020 7008 0151) - a government unit supporting people to prevent forced marriage, or to leave one they've already been forced into
Impact of Honour Based Abuse
Impact of Honour Based Abuse