11th September 2025
We are proud to announce the launch of a new Home Office video featuring Sawaira Sajid (Ria). This video aims to raise awareness of Honour Based Abuse as well as strengthen protections for victims and survivors across the UK.
Ria is the eldest daughter of Abida Karim, who was murdered by her husband in September 2020. In this video, Ria shares her experiences of both Domestic Abuse and Honour Based Abuse, while also speaking about the trauma of witnessing her mother being subjected to abuse over many years.
We commend the strength and bravery of Ria for choosing to speak out. In doing so, she gives a voice to countless women and girls who are too often silenced. Ria’s courage lies not only in sharing her story but in her determination to turn pain into purpose. She has spoken candidly about her journey as a survivor, becoming a kinship carer at the age of 20 for her six siblings, and demonstrating extraordinary resilience and commitment to ensuring no one else has to endure what her family went through.
Ria’s positivity and her ambition to pursue a career in modelling and fashion, a dream she has carried since childhood, are profoundly inspiring. Her journey shows survivors everywhere that life can continue to unfold with new opportunities, and that achievements and aspirations are possible even after enduring abuse.
Survivors like Ria have long called for a statutory definition of Honour Based Abuse, and we are grateful that this call has finally been heard. The government’s announcement represents a vital step forward, and by establishing a clear statutory definition, agencies can better recognise HBA, respond more consistently, and provide stronger protection for victims and survivors.
We are deeply grateful to Ria for her strength, her honesty, and her determination to inspire change.