So-called honour-based violence inspections
Part of: Police engagement with women and girls Protecting people from violence and abuse
So-called honour-based violence (HBV) refers to a range of incidents and crimes which perpetrators carry out to control the behaviour of people within families or other social groups to protect supposed cultural and religious beliefs, values and social norms.
It may involve violence, threats of violence, coercion, intimidation or abuse.
Our reports
Tees Valley Inclusion Project’s super-complaint about how the police response to sexual abuse fails to safeguard victims from risk of honour-based abuse – 16 December 2022
Super-complaints provide a voice for designated bodies to raise concerns on behalf of the public about patterns or trends in policing that are, or appear to be, significantly harming the interests of the public.
On 7 August 2020 we received a super-complaint from Tees Valley Inclusion Project. This super-complaint is about the police response to victims of sexual abuse from ethnic minority backgrounds who may be at risk of honour-based abuse.
Following an investigation, we have made recommendations to chief constables, police and crime commissioners, and the National Police Chiefs’ Council.
The depths of dishonour: Hidden voices and shameful crimes – 8 December 2015
In 2015, we carried out an inspection of the police response to honour-based violence, forced marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM). This inspection was part of our work examining how effectively the police protect vulnerable people.
Until this inspection there had been no independent scrutiny of honour-based violence by inspectorates. We found that the police aren’t well enough prepared to effectively protect victims of honour-based violence. And we made a number of recommendations for the Home Office, the National Police Chiefs Council, chief constables, and the College of Policing.
Further information
If you have been affected by any of these issues, these organisations can help:
BAWSO – (Advice and support for black & minority ethnic people in Wales) – Helpline: 0800 731 8147
Karma Nirvana (Honour-based abuse) – Helpline: 0800 599 9247
The Dahlia Project (FGM) – Contact: 07483 334 954
Forward (FGM/child marriage) – Helpline: 0208 960 4000
Freedom Charity (Forced marriage) – Helpline: 0845 607 0133
Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation (HBV/FM/FGM) – Helpline: 0207 920 6460
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children – FGM helpline: 0800 028 3550
Southall Black Sisters (Gender related violence against women) – Helpline: 020 8571 0800
If you wish to report an incident of HBV, female genital mutilation or forced marriage, please contact your police force directly.