1. “HONOUR” BASED VIOLENCE AND FORCED MARRIAGE
Zahra Rasouli– IKWRO
24 September 2014

2. Iranian & Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation (IKWRO)
Is a registered charity set up in 2002
Provides holistic advice, advocacy and intensive case work for Middle Eastern (Iranian, Kurdish, Turkish, Arab and Afghan) women and girls at risk of Domestic Violence, Forced & Child Marriage, Female Genital Mutilation and “Honour”-based Violence
Provides counselling in Farsi/Dari, Kurdish, Arabic and English
Provides training for professionals, women-only groups and Middle Eastern communities
IKWRO campaigns to change laws and policies and for women’s rights & equality

3. What is the definition of ‘Honour’?
According to the Oxford dictionary, “honour” is:
“High respect; great esteem”
“The quality of knowing and doing what is morally right”
“Something regarded as a rare opportunity and bringing pride and pleasure; a privilege.”
“ Izzat”, “Namous”, “Sharaff” – why is the word ‘honour’ used in describing killing?
whose honor? What is honorable about murder?

4. What is “Honour” Based Violence? (Contd)
Why do we call it ‘honour’ based violence?
(and not ‘domestic’ violence or forced marriage)?
To confront and clarify HBV without any misperceptions within practicing communities
To raise awareness with those who are at risk
To educate the wider society
There is no honour, only dishonour in ‘honour’ killing
IKWRO

5. What is ‘Honour’ Based Violence?
Defined by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) :
“An incident or crime which has or may have been committed to protect or defend the honour of the family and/or community.”

6. What is ‘Honour’-Based Violence?
Definition by IKWRO:
‘Honour’-Based Violence is any act of incidents and crimes committed predominantly against women and girls by their family or their community, often collectively, to defend their perceived honour because it is believed the person has done something to bring shame on the family or the community.
It can take many forms including: ‘honour’ killing, forced marriage,
rape (group), forced suicide, acid attacks, mutilation, imprisonment, abduction, beatings, death threats, blackmail, emotional abuse, surveillance, harassment, disownment and forced abortion.

7. ‘Cultural’ and political justifications:
Patriarchal power, control over women and girls
Culture-dogma-no remorse
Fear:Political Correctness
Fear:Professionals' fear of being accused of being Racists
‘HBV cases are too complex for us to intervene’!!!
It does not happen
Ex: attention seeking adult (police, safeguarding nurse
Unstable; drunk; why noone speaks about it-it is not true
Universal Women’s Rights, Human Rights.

8. Forced Marriage not accepting it may lead to HBV people forced into marriage are the potential victims of HBV
A marriage in which one or both spouses do not (or, in the case of some adults with learning or physical disabilities, cannot) consent to the marriage and duress is involved. Duress can include physical, psychological, financial, sexual and emotional pressure.
Arranged Marriage
A marriage in which families take a leading role, but the parties have the free will and choice to accept or decline the arrangement.
Multi-Agency Practice Guidelines: Handling Cases of Forced Marriage (June 2009)
A Forced Marriage is an Arranged marriage, but an Arranged Marriage is not a Forced Marriage.

9. Why do forced marriages happen?
To control unwanted behaviour and sexuality particularly that of women, and to prevent ‘unsuitable’ relationships
To uphold family honour or long-standing family commitments
Because of peer group or family pressure
To protect perceived cultural or religious ideals
To attempt to strengthen family links
To ensure wealth & land remain within the family
To assist claims for residence and citizenship
To provide a carer for a disabled family member and to reduce the ‘stigma’ of disability

10. Honour Based Violence Statistics in the UK
5000 honour killings recorded per year worldwide (UN 2003)
At least 12 honour killings per year in the UK (HO 2004)
IKWRO has dealt with 2,200 cases via its telephone advice line. We have provided face-to-face intensive casework to over 653 women of whom 145 were at a high risk of HBV. The majority of these women were years of age (2012)
The Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) dealt with over 1,485 cases in 2012
Honour Network helpline dealt with 5600 calls in 2012

11. Honour Based Violence Statistics in the UK
A survey of police forces by IKWRO found that at least 2,823 incidents of HBV were recorded by police (2011)
Only 4.85% of those recorded cases led to conviction.
It is said that Asian women are 2-3 times more likely to commit suicide or to self-harm than other women
Statistics suggest that Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) victims of domestic violence have 17 points of contact with services before they are helped; the figure stands at 11 contacts for white women (Brittain, 2005)

12. Who are the victims of HBV & FM?
Within Middle Eastern, South Asian, Eastern European and Traveller communities in the UK:
Women
Young women
Children
Men
People with disabilities
Gay, lesbian and trans-gender people
Anyone who attempts to help them-within the family
Any more?

13. Perpetrator/s are usually:
Male family members (father, brother, husband, uncles, cousins)
Women family members (mother, sister, in laws, etc.)
Bounty hunters
Contract killers
Members of victims’ communities
People under the order of community leaders
Any more?

14. Triggers - What is seen as ‘dishonour’:
“Inappropriate” make-up or dress, going out
Talking to a boy (or a girl), or to a stranger
Expressions of sexual autonomy, public displays of affection
Having a boyfriend
Resisting a forced marriage
Sex outside marriage, i.e. losing virginity, adultery, pregnancy
Being a victim of rape

15. Triggers - What is seen as ‘dishonour’, contd:
Homosexuality
Seeking divorce(even in the event of domestic abuse)
Reporting/fleeing domestic violence or forced marriage
Autonomy with respect to education/employment
Rumours or even suspicions of any of the above

16. Triggers – Forced Marriage, cont’d:
Child/ girl missing school regularly
Child/ girl does not return from holiday
Employer receiving unexpected leave request and noting employee anxiety
Doctor or nurse noting patient is always accompanied by guardian.
Evidence of self-harm
Social Services seeing runaway
Older siblings all married early

17. Barriers to victims seeking protection:
Underestimating the threat
Fear of dishonouring family, ostracised by friends and the community
Fear of losing children, family and friends
Feelings of guilt and shame
Constant control by the family
Fear of lack of confidentiality /sharing information with family

18. Barriers to victims seeking protection, contd:
Poor perception/lack of trust of police and other agencies able to help
Lack of resources including safe accommodation
Language barriers
Lack of recourse to public funds
Immigration status (mis-spelling in the handout-sorry about it)
Fear of being found after leaving

19. Psychological impact Living in fear
Mistrusting everyone (feeling of being controlled, watched, followed…)
Depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, flashbacks, nightmares, hyper-vigilance
Isolation, loneliness, shame and silence
Losing self-esteem
Self-blame, feelings of guilt
Self harm, suicidal feelings

20. Responding to HBV Cases, who can help? frontline
Police
Social Services
Children’s services
Education professionals e.g. teachers, school counsellors, education advisors, etc.
Health professionals, e.g. doctors, counsellors, midwives, nurses, health visitors, etc.
Local Authorities, e.g. welfare and housing agencies
UK Border Agencies (the Home Office)
Voluntary organisations, and many more
You can help!

21. Victim-Centred Approach
How to stop HBV: 3P’s
Prevention: Preventing crime and saving victims, changing the mindset of communities-educating girls and boys- IKWRO’s campaign focus for this year – national cirruculum
Protection: Full protection and support for victims –well trained, sensitive workers with a victim centred approach-without judging them-people who has the ability to consider situations from a wider perspective
Prosecution: Implementing law and policies, investigating and prosecuting crimes, holding perpetrators accountable (Law Enforcement) and adequate protection for witnesses
Victim-Centred Approach

22. Prevention: Preventing crime and saving victims
Believe them
Treat potential victims with sensitivity and seriousness
Be culturally sensitive
Reassure them about confidentiality. Speak to individuals alone and not in the presence of family and friends
Do not disclose any information to family and friends
Listen carefully and pick up key words e.g.: rape, forced marriage, throwing acid, imprisonment, abduction, beatings, death threats, blackmailing, surveillance, harassment , controlling behaviours, and “honour” killings, etc.
Arrange for an interpreter carefully and check them with the victim. Remind them about confidentiality, neutrality, word-for-word accuracy, non-advocacy- an interpreter not from the community-they fail to translate-gender of the interpreter-that’s it you have one choice-
Clients may be quite, afraid to talk-be patient, do not get angry with them-it is not because they are not cooperative it is because they are suppressed- years and years of abuse

23. Protection: Full protection and support for victims
Never use family members as translators
Take action immediately
Inform the victim of your action
Involve police and social services if appropriate (recording and flagging)
Do a risk assessment, Safety Plan & Risk management
HBV is also a child protection issue. Refer to Child Protection Procedures if appropriate
Arrange for safe accommodation
Consult with or refer to expert organisations such as IKWRO and the Forced Marriage Unit

24. Making Effective Referrals
Consider the needs of the client/s
To avoid duplication record carefully all the information you have gathered from the clients
Inform the clients of the referral and listen to any concerns
When using interpreters, use a trusted source and check with your client
Always check an organisations’ expertise and understanding of HBV and FM before making any referrals
Give preference to gender specialist organisations
Do not refer clients at risk of HBV, FM and FGM to community centers and religious establishments
Always follow up
Pay attention

25. Lets have a look at the Useful law enforcement in
‘honour’ based violence and forced marriage:
Children Act
Abduction, Kidnapping, Assault, Harassment, Stalking, Threat to Kill, Sexual Offences, Rape Acts
Forced Marriage Civil Act/ Forced Marriage Criminal Act
Ward of Court
Holding Passports
Prosecution
Witness Protection
Restricted Freedom/House Arrest

26. THERE MAY ONLY BE ONE CHANCE TO HELP
Conclusion:
Do Not:
Attempt to mediate or to collude
Share information without the consent of the victim
Before sending letters, s, texts or leaving messages make sure it is safe (perpetrators are controlling)-perps call us –”this is the last number my wife called
Allow yourself to be affected by your perceptions of cultural difference – remain professional
Be judgmental
Dismiss their fears, and NEVER send them back into harmful environments
EVER use family members as translators
EVER approach family or community leaders
EVER underestimate the perpetrator/s of HBV
Pay attention-Listen
THERE MAY ONLY BE ONE CHANCE TO HELP

27. Conclusion Checklist:
Staff Training & Awareness Raising
Signposting Practice Guidelines
Monitoring and Evaluation
Record Keeping
Risk Assessment – on-going/links
Confidentiality
Victim-centred Approach
Danger of Family Mediation
Agency-specific requirements
Consult with expert organisations:
IKWRO, Forced Marriage Unit
Statutory Guidance
SAVE LIVES!

28. Iranian &Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation (IKWRO) www. ikwro. org
Iranian &Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation (IKWRO) Tel: