'Honour'-based abuse

Summary

'Honour'-based abuse is an incident or crime involving violence, threats of violence, intimidation, coercion, or abuse (including psychological, physical, sexual, financial, or emotional abuse) committed to protect or defend the honour of an individual, family, or community for alleged or perceived breaches of a family and/or community's code of behaviour. The national policing strategy outlines responses to honour-based abuse, forced marriage, and female genital mutilation (FGM) as part of public protection initiatives. Officers are advised to understand the nuances of such cases to better protect vulnerable individuals at risk of harm. The strategy emphasizes the importance of multi-agency collaboration and appropriate response protocols for incidents that fall under this category.

Key principles

• 1Incident recognition as violence for honour
• 2Protecting vulnerable individuals from coercive practices
• 3Coordination with multiple agencies and organizations
• 4Understanding legal frameworks concerning forced marriage and FGM

Defined terms

'honour'-based abuse

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.

Forced marriage

A criminal offence to force someone to marry, including taking someone overseas to force them to marry.

Female genital mutilation (FGM)

A procedure involving the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons.