Data and Research7th November 2025
The government’s latest Honour-Based Abuse (HBA) crime statistics suggest some progress, showing a 7% rise in recorded offences. But behind this apparent increase lies a more complicated story. When delving deeper, the data reveal an incomplete and uneven picture, which is one driven more by system changes than by a genuine rise in reporting or detection.
The Metropolitan Police’s new crime-recording system, designed to make HBA easier to flag, was one of the biggest drivers of the national increase. Without this technical change, the national picture is flat, even declining in key areas.
Meanwhile, Karma Nirvana’s national helpline supported 3,079 individual cases in 2024/25, representing the highest number in our history. The rise in people reaching out for help tells a different story: one of need increasing faster than action.
Overview of Data
- 2,949 HBA offences were recorded in the year to March 2025, up slightly from 2,755.
- The Metropolitan Police alone accounted for 141 of those new cases (+35%), but this was attributed to changes in how crimes are recorded, not a surge in reports.
- Excluding this technical change, national figures are largely flat or falling.
Forced Marriage Offences Fell 38%
After years of steady increase, forced marriage offences dropped from 201 to 125. But this may reflect inconsistent recording across forces:
- Metropolitan Police: from 47 to just 4
- Greater Manchester Police: from 59 to 38
These sharp declines suggest recording gaps. This unexplained decline, particularly reported from the Metropolitan Police, which we reported as the second-highest police force for cases in the same period, is deeply concerning. At Karma Nirvana, we handled 266 cases with a threat of Forced Marriage in the same period. Crucially, 37% of professionals were not aware of the forced marriage statutory guidance when questioned, which highlights the need for better awareness and training.
Natasha Rattu, the Executive Director of Karma Nirvana, stated:
These figures highlight that Honour Based Abuse remains one of the most hidden and complex forms of violence in our society. Every week, our helpline supports victims whose experiences are not reflected in official statistics. The rise in recorded offences, particularly within the Metropolitan Police, demonstrates what we have long known – where police look, they find Honour Based Abuse. It is critical that silence is not mistaken for safety.
Honour Based Abuse is not a single crime, but a pattern of control and violence often involving multiple perpetrators. The data shows this clearly, spanning forced marriage, coercive control, sexual violence and abuse of children.
This week, amendments to the Government’s Crime and Policing Bill have been laid in the House of Lords to introduce a statutory definition of Honour Based Abuse, establish a legal duty to issue multi-agency guidance, and recognise honour as an aggravating factor in sentencing. These changes are vital to ensure victims are properly protected, professionals are clear on their responsibilities, and perpetrators are held accountable.
– Natasha Rattu, Executive Director of Karma Nirvana
Calling for Change
To build a data picture that reflects victims’ real experiences, not system quirks, we need structural reform:
- A Statutory Definition of Honour-Based Abuse: Clear legal language is essential for consistent recording and response. Our #Push4Change campaign is backed by survivors, professionals, and sector leaders.
- Introducing Honour as an Aggravating Factor in Sentencing: Recognising honour as a motive would ensure sentencing reflects the coercive, complex nature of this abuse, as well as ensure honour motives are fully investigated and presented in court.
- Standardised National Recording Practices: Every police force needs training to correctly identify and record HBA. Only then will our national data reflect reality, not recording discrepancies.