'Honour'-Based abuse, Forced Marriage, and harmful practices
Plain-English digest of CPS prosecution guidance.
AI-generated summary — not verbatim. This is a plain-English digest, not the official CPS text. It may omit detail or fall out of date. Do not rely on it for a charging decision — read the full guidance on cps.gov.uk and check the current legislation.
This guidance aims to assist prosecutors in reviewing and preparing cases related to honour-based abuse, forced marriage, and harmful practices. It provides definitions, relevant offences, evidential considerations, and public interest factors. Prosecutors are advised to be aware of the complexities involved in these cases, particularly the vulnerabilities of victims and the importance of safety measures.
Key points
- Prosecutors must follow CPS guidance for cases involving honour-based abuse.
- There is no specific offence for honour-based abuse; various offences may apply.
- Victim safety is paramount in all cases and must be prioritized during the prosecution process.
- Prosecutors should consider the public interest in pursuing cases of forced marriage and honour-based abuse.
- Evidence building must focus on safety and legal standards established by Criminal Procedure Rules.
- Special protective measures must be considered for vulnerable victims during prosecution.
Public-interest factors
- Public safety concerns
- Prevention of further offences
- Protection of vulnerable individuals
- Social responsibility to combat harmful practices
- Community awareness and deterrence
- Encouragement for victims to come forward
This is a factual digest of guidance published by the Crown Prosecution Service. Digested 2026-07-15. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the CPS.