The concept of ‘honour’ is for some communities is extremely important. To compromise a family’s ‘honour’ is to bring dishonour and shame and this can have severe consequences. The punishment for bringing dishonour can be emotional abuse, physical abuse, family disownment and in some cases even murder.
Honour-based abuse is a fundamental abuse of an individual’s human rights. There is no religious or cultural basis to this abuse or violence. It is a crime and we will take any information received about this subject seriously.
Honour-based abuse can affect both men and women. Everyday choices made by an individual could impact on a family’s or communities’ honour and therefore violence and abuse can occur. These simple choices could include: choice of clothes, choice of friends, relationships or career choice.
In most honour-based abuse cases there are multiple perpetrators from the immediate family, sometimes the extended family and occasionally the community at large.
Honour-based abuse can include:
- Verbal threats
- Violence
- Being forced to do things against your will
- Sexual or psychological abuse
If you believe you or someone you know is a victim of any of these offences please contact us. If you are in immediate danger please ring 999 and Northumbria Police will protect you and find you a safe place to stay.
The warning signs of honour based abuse can include:
- Broken communication between victim and friends
- Absence from education or the workplace
- Criticism of the victim for ‘western’ adoption of dress or make-up
- Restrictions in leaving the house or being accompanied outside the home
- Depressive or suicidal tendencies in an otherwise happy person.
FAQ
Honour-based abuse is not determined by gender; both perpetrators and victims can be male or female.
