July 14th marks National Honour Based Abuse (HBA) Awareness Day, a time to remember Shafilea Ahmed, a 17-year-old British-Pakistani girl who was tragically murdered by her parents in a suspected honour killing. This day honours Shafilea’s memory and acknowledges all those who have suffered or lost their lives due to honour-based abuse.
What is honour-based abuse?
Honour-based abuse (HBA) is a serious and often misunderstood form of domestic violence, deeply rooted in certain cultural and religious beliefs about protecting and maintaining the family honour. It is estimated that at least one honour-based killing occurs each month in the UK, though actual statistics are unknown due to underreporting.
HBA includes a range of abusive acts, including:
- Child marriage
- Virginity testing
- Enforced abortion
- Female genital mutilation (FGM)
- Physical, sexual, and economic abuse
- Threats and coercive control
Victims of HBA often experience abuse from multiple perpetrators within their own families, such as parents and siblings. The fear of isolation and further violence makes it incredibly difficult for victims to speak out, resulting in these heinous crimes remaining hidden.
Raising awareness of HBA
Each year, countless people in the UK silently suffer from HBA too afraid or ashamed to report their abusers. Raising awareness and educating the public about this form of domestic abuse is crucial. By understanding the signs and supporting victims, we can bring these crimes out of the shadows and help save lives.
We are committed to supporting all forms of domestic abuse, including HBA. Through education, support and compassion, we believe we can work towards ending HBA in the UK.
Together, we can raise awareness of this violent crime and create a safer future for everyone.