Fawziyah’s abuse was characterised by key elements of HBA:
- Collective perpetration
- Honour-driven motivations
- Control and punishment
- Shame as a barrier to leave
Had her case been recognised for the complex abuse it involved, Fawziyah might have had a chance to escape.
- Collective perpetration
- Honour-driven motivations
- Control and punishment
- Shame as a barrier to leave
Had her case been recognised for the complex abuse it involved, Fawziyah might have had a chance to escape.
Comments
Failing to address it specifically means:
- HBA is inconsistently identified due to competing definitions
- The role of multiple perpetrators is missed
- Data collection is poor
- And, ultimately, the human cost will continue to grow.
Writing it into law will provide clarity across sectors, ensuring consistent identification, response and recording of HBA, and leading to better protection for victims.
I would also like to thank Minister Jess Phillips and Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England & Wales, for speaking.
Implementing a long-overdue statutory definition of honour-based abuse is the first step in achieving that change.