Karma Nirvana calls for a statutory definition of Honour Based Abuse in memory of Fawziyah Javed

Our #Push4Change campaign for a statutory definition on Honour Based Abuse.

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February 2025

Next week, we are hosting our #Push4Change Westminster screening of The Push: Murder on the Cliff, a two-part documentary exploring the tragic case of Fawziyah Javed, who was pushed to her death with her unborn baby by her husband from Arthur’s Seat in 2021. This event will commemorate Fawziyah, and act as a pledge to do all we can to end preventable deaths such as Fawziyah’s in the future.

This event aims to raise awareness about Honour Based Abuse and the need for a statutory definition for HBA. Karma Nirvana alongside sector partners have been campaigning for a statutory definition, and launched the campaign, #Push4Change off the back of the documentary,

The event will feature clips from The Push: Murder on the Cliff, discussions with survivor ambassadors, expert professionals, and policymakers, and an introduction on why we need a statutory definition for Honour Based Abuse, why we use the term ‘honour’ in honour based abuse, and how we have created the proposed definition.

Our full briefing and more resources from the event are available below.

May 2024

Progress in tackling Honour Based Abuse has been hampered by a lack of a clear definition within statutory frameworks. However in a landmark move, the sector has come together to agree on a statutory definition to define Honour Based Abuse, which is legally sound and ready to be added to the statute book. The sector has written and published their joint letter to Minister Laura Farris, inviting them to meet and discuss the impact this would have and to urgently introduce this statutory definition for HBA in the UK. This milestone represents a pivotal moment in the fight against HBA, offering a unified framework to identify and address cases effectively.

Why do we need a definition?

A statutory definition for Honour Based Abuse is a crucial starting point for identifying cases and supporting victims. Statutory definitions play a vital role in providing precision, uniformity, and legal acknowledgement to critical matters.

In March 2024, the Karma Nirvana and the sector responded to the Channel 4 documentary “The Push: Murder on The Cliff,”. Karma Nirvana, Yasmin Javed (Mother of Fawziyah Javed), alongside our sector partners launched the #Push4Change campaign on International Women’s Day (8th March). This initiative called upon the government to urgently introduce a statutory definition for Honour Based Abuse and address this complex issue.

Since then, the sector has come together to agree on a statutory definition to define Honour Based Abuse, which is legally sound and ready to be added to the statute book with the support of the minister. This development signals not only progress but also a powerful call to action. As advocates for change, the sector champions the rights of HBA survivors and demands accountability from policymakers.

We have also written to Minister Laura Farris about our campaign #Push4Change and the need for a statutory definition for Honour Based Abuse in the UK. A joint letter from the sector invites Minister Farris to engage in discussions on the profound impact this definition would have on protecting vulnerable individuals and ensuring justice for survivors. We invite the minister to meet with us to understand the impact this would have and to urgently introduce a statutory definition for HBA.

The impact of this will mean there’s better identification through shared understanding of Honour Based Abuse across all professional sectors, better protection of victims through better guidance from statutory guidance and through victim empowerment, more research and accurate data collection as well as more consistent reporting, which in turn leads to appropriate resource allocation through informed decision-making.

Despite the tireless efforts of charities over the past three decades, effectively dealing with Honour Based Abuse remains challenging. Last year, the Women and Equality Committee’s recommendation for a legal definition was rejected by the government, leaving vulnerable HBA victims in a vicious cycle of being continually misunderstood without a definition.

The sector-wide definition

An incident or pattern of violence, threats of violence, intimidation, coercion, control or abuse (including but not limited to psychological, physical, sexual, economic, spiritual, faith-related or emotional abuse) motivated by the perpetrator’s perception that an individual has shamed,
or may shame, the perpetrator, the family, or community or has otherwise broken, or may break, the perceived norms of the community’s accepted behaviours, including by speaking out about the abuse and where the perception of shame may also prevent a victim from accessing support or help.

Supporters

Impact of this campaign

The #Push4Change campaign, supported by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner Nicole Jacobs, urges a shared statutory understanding of HBA, emphasising:

• Better Identification through Shared Understanding:
  • Consistent Interpretation: Creating a standard language for addressing HBA.
  • Facilitating Collaboration: Professionals with the same definition can effectively identify and address cases, ensuring a coordinated response.
  • Enhanced Identification: A shared understanding enables prompt and appropriate responses from police officers, social workers, educators, and health professionals.

• Protection of Victims:
  • Guidance for Practitioners: A statutory definition, supported by guidance, provides a robust framework for practitioners, safeguarding victims by establishing clear expectations and procedures.
  • Victim and Survivor Empowerment: Validation of experiences and acknowledgement of the seriousness of the issue empowers victims to seek help within a recognised framework.
• Research and Data Collection:
  • Evidence-Based Policymaking: Facilitating accurate data collection is crucial for understanding the impact of HBA.
  • Consistent Reporting: Enabling accurate record-keeping and supporting data collection efforts.

• Appropriate Resource Allocation:
  • Informed Decision-Making: Aiding policymakers in effectively allocating resources to address HBA challenges.

In conclusion, the sector advocates for the establishment of a statutory definition for Honour Based Abuse, and the inclusion of the agreed statutory definition in the statute book.

This critical step is not just about words; it’s about acknowledging the problem for what it truly is and providing survivors with the recognition and support they deserve. The impact of a shared statutory understanding would be profound, creating a unified approach, protecting victims, and ensuring accountability for all perpetrators of abuse.

This call is backed by sector partners and the letter is available on Karma Nirvana’s website.

The #Push4Change campaign, supported by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner Nicole Jacobs, urges a shared statutory understanding of HBA, emphasising:

• Better Identification through Shared Understanding:
  • Consistent Interpretation: Creating a standard language for addressing HBA.
  • Facilitating Collaboration: Professionals with the same definition can effectively identify and address cases, ensuring a coordinated response.
  • Enhanced Identification: A shared understanding enables prompt and appropriate responses from police officers, social workers, educators, and health professionals.
• Protection of Victims:
  • Guidance for Practitioners: A statutory definition, supported by guidance, provides a robust framework for practitioners, safeguarding victims by establishing clear expectations and procedures.
  • Victim and Survivor Empowerment: Validation of experiences and acknowledgement of the seriousness of the issue empowers victims to seek help within a recognised framework.
• Research and Data Collection:
  • Evidence-Based Policymaking: Facilitating accurate data collection is crucial for understanding the impact of HBA.
  • Consistent Reporting: Enabling accurate record-keeping and supporting data collection efforts.
• Appropriate Resource Allocation:
  • Informed Decision-Making: Aiding policymakers in effectively allocating resources to address HBA challenges.

In conclusion, the sector advocates for the establishment of a statutory definition for Honour Based Abuse, and the inclusion of the agreed statutory definition in the statute book.

This critical step is not just about words; it’s about acknowledging the problem for what it truly is and providing survivors with the recognition and support they deserve. The impact of a shared statutory understanding would be profound, creating a unified approach, protecting victims, and ensuring accountability for all perpetrators of abuse.

This call is backed by sector partners and the letter is available on Karma Nirvana’s website.

Testimonials and Quotes

Natasha Rattu, Karma Nirvana: We’ve written to Minister Laura Farris today with an urgent request to add a statutory definition for Honour Based Abuse. We’ve requested her to meet with us and discuss the impact of a lack of statutory definition in the UK, which is a crucial starting point for identifying cases and supporting victims. We’ve come together as a sector to write a legally sound definition which is ready to be put into the statute book.

A survivor of Honour Based Abuse, who provided evidence to the Inquiry:  
“As someone who has faced Honour-Based Abuse, it’s disheartening to know that we still don’t have a clear legal definition. If we genuinely want to put an end to this, we need to start by accurately defining it. It’s not just a matter of words; it’s about giving survivors the recognition and support they deserve, and that begins with acknowledging the problem for what it truly is.”

Afrah Qassim, Savera UK CEO and Founder: “A clear statutory definition for HBA is absolutely vital to improved understanding, identification and reporting of HBA, which in turn facilitates more effective and appropriate responses. This proposed definition has been developed by specialist, frontline services from across the UK with vast collective experience in working to end HBA. It will protect those of risk by giving professionals a robust framework to work with and it will empower survivors by recognising the severity of their risks/threat and making it easier for them to report and access help. As a service we will be adopting this definition as our standard, alongside our sector peers, and we urge the government to do the same.”

A service user of Al Hasaniya: HBA is such a complex issue. Culture, family, expectations, shame, loneliness….. all heavy loads I’m carrying. Not everyone understands this. I feel like there’s so much confusion when different services talk to me. They don’t understand what HBA is. The government needs to have a clear definition that will guide services, so people like me don’t have to keep explaining their selves again and again.

Diana Nammi, IKWRO: Combatting “honour” based abuse requires a collective and cohesive understanding. Establishing clear definitions, comprehensive guidance, and effective strategies will unite professionals and community members, empowering them to eradicate these egregious practices.

A service user of Al Hasaniya: Al Hasaniya has helped me a lot and understand what I’m going through. A service that understands the culture is important and it’s important the government communicates with these organisations to understand what people like me are going through.”

Honour Based Abuse Data

In the last year, Karma Nirvana has handled 2,549 HBA cases in 2023
We’ve had 9,074 contacts to our Honour Based Abuse helpline in 2023
Besides limited police data, there is no other government agency or mechanism in place to systematically track or monitor the number of HBA cases occurring in UK. This means there are significant statutory data gaps that prevent a complete understanding of how prevalent HBA is in UK.

How can I support this call?

8th March 2024

Karma Nirvana is delighted to announce the launch of our campaign to put a statutory definition of Honour Based Abuse in place. This launches on International Women’s Day (8^th March 2024), in memory of Fawziyah Javed. 

Channel 4 recently aired The Push: Murder on the Cliff, which follows the trial of Kashif Anwar for the murder of Fawziyah Javed, who was pushed from Arthur’s Seat while pregnant. Fawziyah’s murderer was convicted; however, the Javed family are still left with the loss of their only child. 

Honour Based Abuse (HBA) remains an insidious threat, hidden in the shadows of our communities, eluding detection due to its concealed nature. Despite three decades of increased awareness, addressing HBA is an ongoing challenge, hindered by the lack of a clear statutory definition.

In response to the recent Channel 4 documentary “The Push: Murder on The Cliff,” Karma Nirvana and partners launch the #Push4Change campaign on International Women’s Day (8th March). This initiative calls upon the government to urgently introduce a statutory definition for Honour Based Abuse and address this complex issue. The mother of Fawziyah Javed, Yasmin Javed, supports the campaign for a statutory definition stating “More needs to change to prevent future tragedies”.

Fawziyah’s tragic experiences, as documented in “The Push,” exposes the harsh realities of Honour Based Abuse. Fawziyah’s experienced domestic abuse which was compounded by the weight of honour dynamics, where shame and stigma created formidable barriers. In a chilling moment during the documentary, her father-in-law claimed, “She’s our daughter, not theirs,”. This showcases how familial complicity and the objectification of women are deeply entrenched within Honour Based Abuse. Through Karma Nirvana’s helpline work, we often see how women are treated as possessions rather than individuals.

Despite the tireless efforts of charities over the past three decades, effectively dealing with Honour Based Abuse remains challenging. Last year, the Women and Equality Committee’s recommendation for a legal definition was rejected by the government, leaving vulnerable HBA victims in a vicious cycle of being continually misunderstood without a definition.

What is Honour Based Abuse?

Honour Based Abuse is a deeply complex issue, which is widely misunderstood, meaning that hundreds of victims are not being helped and perpetrators are escaping justice. It can take many forms, including child marriage, virginity testing, enforced abortion, forced marriage, female genital mutilation, as well as physical, sexual and economic abuse and coercive control. There is currently little accurate data on the true extent of Honour Based Abuse and its impact on women and girls – its true scale, scope and prevalence is not known, and so it remains a thriving but invisible problem. Honour Based Abuse is often thought of as a ‘cultural’, ‘traditional’ or ‘religious’ problem. Perpetrators are often partners or ex-partners, or family members. We know, through calls to our national Honour Based Abuse Helpline, that most victims experience abuse from multiple perpetrators, including parents and siblings. 

It can lead to a deeply embedded form of coercive control, such as the coercive control seen in Fawziyah Javed’s case, and it is built on expectations about acceptable and unacceptable behaviours. Control is often established without overt violence against the victim. For example, family members may threaten to kill themselves or ostracise the victim. 

Honour Based Abuse is a deeply entrenched issue that affects individuals across communities and cultures. Karma Nirvana recognises the importance of having a clear and comprehensive understanding of this complex issue, in order to ensure victims are supported effectively, their risks are assessed correctly, and that they are protected from harm. We hope this will help prevent future tragedies 

We recognise that until a definition is put into the statute book and properly reflected in government language, this issue will continue to be misunderstood, under-represented and inadequately resourced. 

Why do we need a statutory definition for Honour Based Abuse?

The #Push4Change campaign, supported by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner Nicole Jacobs, urges a shared statutory understanding of HBA, emphasising:

• Better Identification through Shared Understanding:
  • Consistent Interpretation: Creating a standard language for addressing HBA.
  • Facilitating Collaboration: Professionals with the same definition can effectively identify and address cases, ensuring a coordinated response.
  • Enhanced Identification: A shared understanding enables prompt and appropriate responses from police officers, social workers, educators, and health professionals.

• Protection of Victims:
  • Guidance for Practitioners: A statutory definition, supported by guidance, provides a robust framework for practitioners, safeguarding victims by establishing clear expectations and procedures.
  • Victim and Survivor Empowerment: Validation of experiences and acknowledgement of the seriousness of the issue empowers victims to seek help within a recognised framework.
• Research and Data Collection:
  • Evidence-Based Policymaking: Facilitating accurate data collection is crucial for understanding the impact of HBA.
  • Consistent Reporting: Enabling accurate record-keeping and supporting data collection efforts.
• Appropriate Resource Allocation:
  • Informed Decision-Making: Aiding policymakers in effectively allocating resources to address HBA challenges.

In conclusion, Karma Nirvana advocates for the establishment of a statutory definition for Honour Based Abuse. This critical step is not just about words; it’s about acknowledging the problem for what it truly is and providing survivors with the recognition and support they deserve. The impact of a shared statutory understanding would be profound, creating a unified approach, protecting victims, and ensuring accountability for all perpetrators of abuse.

How can I help? 

There are many ways to get involved in this campaign. See how you can get involved below:

Sharing what Honour Based Abuse is and the need for a definition

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