The terms 'honour crime', 'izzat' or 'honour-based violence' embrace a variety of crimes of violence (mainly but not exclusively against women), including assult, imprisonment and murder where the person is being punished by their family or community. They are being punished for actually, or allegedly, undermining what the family or community believes to be the correct code of behaviour. In trangressing against this correct code of behaviour, the person shows that they have not been properly controlled to conform by their family and this is to the 'shame' or 'dishonour' of the family.
Forced marriage and honour based violence are human rights abuses and fall within the government's definition of domestic violence. Force marriage is defined as marriage conducted without the full consent of both parties and where duress is a factor. There is a clear distinction between forced marriage and an arranged marriage, In arranged marriages, the families may take a leading role in arranging the marriage, but the choice whether or not to accept remains with the prospective spouces. In a forced marriage, one or both spouses do not consent to the marriage. The young person could be facing physical, psychological, sexual, financial or emotional abuse to pressure them into accepting the marriage.
Forced marriage affects victims from many communities. The majority of cases reported to date in the UK involve South Asian families, but there have been cases involving families from across Europe, East Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Some forced marriages take place in the UK with no overseas element, while others involve a partner coming from overseas or a British national being sent abroad.
If there are concerns that a child (male or female) is in danger of a forced marriage, in addition to safegaurding procedures being followed, the Forced Marriage Unit should be contacted (a joint Home Office, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Unit, launched in 2005). Caseworkers in the unit have extensive experience of the cultural, social and emotional issues surrounding forced marriage. They can also directly assist to help British nationals facing forced marriages abroad by helping them to a place of saftey and helping them to return to the UK.
Hundreds of people in the UK (particularly girls and young women), some as young as nine, are forced into marriage each year. Some are taken overseas to marry whilst others may be married in the UK. Suspicions that a young person may be forced into marriage may arise in a number of ways. These include a family history of older sibblings leaving education early and marrying early; depressive behaviourincluding self-harming and attempted suicide; unreasonable restrictions such as being kept at home by their parents ('house arrest') or being unable to complete their education; and a person always being accompanied to school and doctors appointments. A young person may also talk about an upcoming family holiday that they are worried about, fears that they will be taken out of education and kept abroad, or directly disclose that they are worried they will be forced to marry.
There may be only one oppertunity to speak to a potential victim of forced marriage, so an appropriate initial response is vital. Without the right information being taken down, a victim may never be seen again (such as a traceable overseas address). It is important to gather as much information as possible about the victim immediately, but this should be done on their own, in a private place where the conversation can not be overheard. Victims should be reminded of their rights - they have the right to chose who they marry, when and where and the right to make decisions abouth their lives.
Many victims are terrified that their families will find out that they have asked for help. DO NOT inform the victim's family, friends or the community that the victim has sought help as this is likely to increase the risk to the victim significantly. Forced marriage is closely linked to honour- based violence and honour killings. All those involved will want to bear in mind that mediation as a response to forced marriage can be extremely dangerous. There have been cases of victims being murdered by their families during mediation. Mediation can also place someone at risk of further emotional and physical abuse.
Anyone threatened with forced marriage or forced to marry against their will can apply for a Forced Marriage Protection Order. Third parties including relatives, friends, voluntary workers and police officers, can also apply for a protection order with the leave of the court. Fifteen county courts deal with applications and make orders to prevent forced marriages. Local authorities can now seek a protection order for vulnerable adults and children without leave of the court.
This information has been taken from Working Together to Safeguard Children 2010.
