Honour Based Abuse (HBA) is a term used to describe any violent or abusive behaviour used against a person in the name of honour. Usually perpetrated when either family or community members believe that an act or behaviour has happened which would cause 'shame' or 'dishonour' to the family or community.
Honour Based Abuse cannot be excused by religion, culture or tradition, and are not determined by characteristics such as age, gender, faith or sexuality.
Domestic abuse - Honour Based Abuse is a form of domestic abuse. A person may find themselves subjected to coercive control, violence, or threats due to how their behaviour has been perceived by family members or by the community. It can involve multiple perpetrators, and is driven by the need to 'restore' so called family honour.
Domestic abuse is illegal, and falls under a number of different laws. See What is Domestic Abuse? for more information.
Virginity Testing - Under the Health and Care Act 2022, it is illegal to carry out virginity testing and/or hymenoplasty in the UK.
Forced Marriage - Different to arranged marriage where consent is gained from the individuals involved, with choice at all times. Forced Marriage is when either both or one of the persons involved do not or cannot consent to the marriage, and often features coercion, pressure, threats and/or violence. Forced Marriage is illegal, a Forced Marriage Protection Order can help if you are being forced in to a marriage, or are already in a Forced Marriage, and can be applied for by the person who needs the order in place, a relevant third party or any other person with the permission of the court.
Child marriage - a form of Forced Marriage. Child marriage can be any marriage, or an informal union, in which at least one of the parties is under the age of 18. In England and Wales it is illegal to get married if you are under the age of 18.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) - FGM (also known as female circumcision) is the process where the female genitals are purposefully cut, changed or injured with no medical reason. It can be done at any point from infancy to the age of 15, or before puberty starts, and often happens without consent. FGM is a criminal offence in UK. The Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 states it is illegal to perform FGM on any woman or girl, assist or help a girl to carry out FGM to herself, help, or arrange to encourage someone from outside the UK to carry out FGM on a UK national or resident, even if they have travelled to a country where FGM is legal.
Honour Based Abuse is associated with specific religions or cultures - Honour Based Abuse is not a cultural, traditional, or religious practice. It can occur in any community or family setting, and is a form of abuse regardless of the faith or background of the individuals.
This only happens to women and girls - Honour Based Abuse is not gendered, it can happen to anyone, no matter their gender identity.
There is only one form of Honour Based Abuse - it's a common myth that Honour Based Abuse can only happen in one form, however, the list above demonstrates that it can happen in many different ways.
It is done by one person - Honour Based Abuse is 7 times more likely to conducted by multiple perpetrators, and often means that there is a greater risk of serious harm.
Honour Based Abuse doesn't happen in the UK - recent research suggests that there is one honour-based killing per month. According to their website, charity Karma Nirvana supports over 2,000 victim survivors of honour based abuse every year. (https://karmanirvana.org.uk/get-help/what-is/about-honour-based-abuse/)
if I haven't been physically hurt, I can't report it - Abuse happens in many various forms, it can emotional, sexual, and may be difficult to recognise at times. You can access support at any time, even if you are unsure about what you have experienced.
'Honour Based Abuse is not a cultural tradition or religious practice; it is a form of abuse that can occur within any community, regardless of faith or background. Abuse is abuse – no matter who the perpetrator is or how they justify it.' - https://karmanirvana.org.uk/get-help/myself/what-is-hba/
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I think I am experiencing/I have experienced Honour Based Abuse