Honour based violence
Honour based violence
'Honour based violence' (also sometimes called HBV, honour violence, or honour abuse) is a crime or incident committed in order to defend family or community 'honour'. It is prevalent in many cultures including - amongst others - Turkish, Afghani, South Asian, Middle Eastern, Kurdish, African, South and Eastern European.
If you need support or advice concerning Honour based violence, please call Sussex Police on 101.
If there is an immediate threat to life, or the immediate threat of being taken abroad, call 999.
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.
This is not the same as an arranged marriage, where people have a choice about 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.
Forced marriage is an abuse of human rights. Both physical and emotional abuse may be used to coerce people into the marriage.
If you or someone you know is being forced into a marriage either in the UK or abroad, please contact either Sussex Police on 101, or the Forced Marriage Unit on 020 7008 0151 or by emailing fmu@fco.gov.uk
The Forced Marriage Unit is a joint initiative of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Home Office. Their trained professionals offer confidential advice and assistance to:
- those who have been forced into marriage
- those at risk of being forced into marriage
- people worried about friends or relatives
- professionals working with actual or potential victims of forced marriage.
Female genital mutilation
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a term used for procedures that remove or injure the external female genital organs for a cultural or non-therapeutic reason. For example, female circumcision is an operation which is medically unnecessary and extremely painful, and which has serious health consequences both at the time of the procedure and in later life. It can also be psychologically damaging.
Female genital mutilation is physical abuse. Even though it is not perceived as such by the girl's parents, it is harmful, it is child abuse and it is unlawful.
In the UK it is illegal to perform FGM or to send girls abroad for the purpose of having it done (see the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003).
If you know of children you believe to be at risk of FGM, or of people you believe are carrying out FGM, or you have any other information relating to FGM offences, please contact Sussex Police on 101.
If you would like more information about FGM, or if you need advice or support, please contact: FORWARD (the Foundation for Women's Health, Research and Development) on 020 8960 4000.
Support for victims
Ashiana is an organisation that provides refuge accommodation and support services to Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee women, children and young people who are survivors of partner and family abuse, including forced marriages and honour-based violence, or who have been trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and/or domestic servitude. Although based in Sheffield, Ashiana provides support in England, Wales and Scotland.