Coventry City Council has used a national awareness day to draw attention to the support available for people affected by honour based abuse (HBA), and to encourage victims to come forward.
Honour based abuse covers a range of behaviours used, primarily, to control women and girls within families or communities, carried out in the name of protecting cultural or religious “honour”, according to a definition set out by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in 2015.
The council said women and girls face the greatest risk, especially when they end or refuse a forced or arranged marriage, choose to terminate a pregnancy, or go against their family’s wishes. Men and boys can also be victims. Other circumstances that may put someone at risk include starting a relationship with a partner from a different cultural or religious background, or living in a way, through their dress, career, or lifestyle, that is not seen as conforming to tradition within their community. The council added that people who are LGBTQ+ or disabled are especially vulnerable to this type of abuse.
Councillor John McNicholas, chair of the Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board, said:
“It’s important to raise awareness and for survivors to speak out. The first, vital step in ending Honour Based Abuse is ensuring that everyone understands and recognises it as a form of domestic abuse and knows there is support available in the city.”
People who have experienced HBA, or who are concerned about someone who has, can find support through Safe to Talk, the council’s dedicated domestic abuse service. The website provides guidance for survivors, for children and young people, and for perpetrators, covering issues including honour based abuse, forced marriage, and female genital mutilation (FGM).
Its helpline, 0800 111 4998, operates from 8.30am to 5.30pm on weekdays, and 10am to 1pm at weekends. Further details can be found at www.safetotalk.org.uk.
Support is also available through Panahghar, a specialist service for people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, via a 24 hour helpline on 0800 055 6519.
Anyone in immediate danger should call 999.
