Honour Based Abuse & Forced Marriage

Everyone has the right to choose who they marry and when they marry, or if they marry at all.

Forced Marriage

involving anyone under the age of 18 constitutes a form of child abuse. A child who is forced into marriage is likely to suffer Significant Harm through physical, sexual or emotional abuse. Forced marriage can have a negative impact on a child’s health and development, and can also result in sexual violence including rape. If a child is forced to marry, he or she may be taken abroad for an extended period of time which could amount to child abduction. In addition, a child in such a situation would be absent from school resulting in the loss of educational opportunities, and possibly also future employment opportunities. Even if the child is not taken abroad, they are likely to be taken out of school so as to ensure that they do not talk about their situation with their peers.

Find out more about forced marriage and what protection, advice and support is available and Pan Cheshire Tri X -Forced marriage.

Forced marriage is different from an arranged marriage, where families take a leading role in choosing a partner for their son or daughter and both parties give their full and free consent.

Honour Based Abuse (HBA)

Honour Based Abuse is a collection of practices, which are used to control behaviour within families or other social groups to protect perceived cultural and religious beliefs and/or honour.

Such violence can occur when perpetrators perceive that a relative has shamed the family and / or community by breaking their honour code.

For young victims it is a form of child abuse and a serious abuse of human rights.

It can be distinguished from other forms of violence, as it is often committed with some degree of approval and/or collusion from family and/or community members. Women, men and younger members of the family can all be involved in the abuse.

.Statistics on so called ‘honour-based’ abuse offences, England and Wales, 2020 to 2021

HBA practice guidance

•Pan Cheshire Harmful Practices Strategy

Some organisations who offer advice and support if you’re being threatened or abused and they can also help if you’re concerned about someone else being abused.

If you have concerns about someone’s safety please call the police on 999.