14 July: Day of Memory for victims of Honour Based Abuse
Each year in the UK, lives are lost to Honour Based Abuse. While work continues to end abuse once and for all, people throughout the country are urged to remember those murdered by their families and communities.
The national Day of Memory for victims of Honour Based Abuse was established by Karma Nirvana in partnership with Cosmopolitan magazine in 2015. The annual commemorative event is held on 14 July, marking the birthday of Bradford-born Shafilea Ahmed who was killed by her parents in 2003 after suffering years of abuse for becoming ‘too westernised’.
There are an estimated 12 known ‘honour’ killings of British citizens every year. However, the real number is thought to be considerably higher.
This year’s event will be held online and will feature speeches from Minister for Safeguarding Victoria Atkins, Domestic Abuse Commissioner Nicole Jacobs and Pauline Latham MP. Survivors will share their courageous stories and Karma Nirvana’s new strategy will be outlined by Executive Director Natasha Rattu.
Natasha explained: ‘While many families choose to forget, we choose to remember and to celebrate victims’ lives.
‘At the same time, this is an opportunity for survivors to speak out and for awareness to be raised. The first, vital step in ending Honour Based Abuse is ensuring that everyone understands and recognises it as a form of domestic abuse.’