Honour Based Abuse
Honour Based Abuse is an international term used by many cultures for justification of abuse and violence. It is a crime or incident committed in order to protect or defend the family or community ‘honour’. Honour based abuse will often go hand in hand with forced marriages, although this is not always the case. Honour crimes and forced marriages are already covered by the law, and can involve a range of criminal offences.
Female Genital Mutilation
This is a collective term used for procedures, such as female circumcision, which include the partial or total removal of the external female genital organs, or injury to the female genital organs for a cultural or non-therapeutic reason.
Forced Marriage
A forced marriage is when one or both parties do not consent to the marriage, and people are forced into marriage against their will. There could be both physical and emotional abuse used to coerce you into the marriage.
Forced marriage is an abuse of human rights.
This is not the same as an arranged marriage, where you have a choice as to whether to accept the arrangement or not. The tradition of arranged marriages has operated successfully within many communities and countries for a very long time.
If someone you know is being forced into a marriage either in the UK or abroad you can contact either Essex Police on 101, or the Forced Marriage Unit on 020 7008 0151 or by emailing fmu@fco.gov.uk .
If you wish to find out more about the Forced Marriage Unit visit:
www.fco.gov.uk/forcedmarriage
Warning signs
Warning signs of someone being at risk of a forced marriage include:
- extended absence from school/college, truancy, a drop in performance, low motivation, excessive parental restriction and control of movements, a history of brothers/sisters leaving education early to marry
- poor attendance in the workplace, poor performance, parental control of income and limited career choices
- evidence of self-harm, treatment for depression, attempted suicide, social isolation, eating disorders or substance abuse
- evidence of family disputes/conflict, domestic violence/abuse or running away from home.
Useful contact numbers
Victims of these crimes do not have to suffer in silence, and are urged to call one of the agencies listed below.
Essex Police
If you require any help, support or advice please ring Essex Police
If there is an immediate threat to life, or the immediate threat of being taken abroad, ring the emergency number, or the forced marriage unit.
Emergency number: 999
Non emergency numner: 101
Forced Marriage Unit: (+44) 020 7008 0151
www.fco.gov.uk/forcedmarriage
Karma Nirvana Honour Network: 0800 5999 247
http://www.karmanirvana.org.uk/
Womens Aid: 0808 2000 247
www.womensaid.org.uk
Respond (Learning Disabilities): 0207 383 0700
www.respond.org.uk
www.forcedtomarry.com
Iranian and Kurdish Women's Rights Organisation (IKWRO): 0207 920 6460 / 6461 / 6462
www.ikwro.org.uk
Freedom Charity 24/7 helpline: 0845 607 0133
www.freedomcharity.org.uk
Forward (Specifically for African women): 0208 960 4000
www.forwarduk.org.uk