Sector Partners Agree and Push for Statutory Definition (#Push4Change)
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), Women’s Aid, Naz and Matt Foundation , IKWRO, Savera, Al-Hasaniya, Halo Project, Hope Training and Consultancy, British Pregnancy Advisory Service, Safelives, Suzy Lamplugh Trust, Roshni, and Right to Equality 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.
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 recognized 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
- More data available on request
How can I support this call?
Share the letter
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Interviews available with:
Please contact [email protected] for interviews.
- Natasha Rattu from Karma Nirvana:
- Survivors of Honour Based Abuse (Karma Nirvana’s SAP)
- Ms Souad Talsi, MBE, Founder and Interim CEO of Al Hasaniya Moroccan Women’s Centre
- Diana Nammi, CEO of IKWRO- Women’s Rights Organisation
- Afrah Qassim, Savera UK CEO and Founder
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