Honour based violence
The terms 'honour crime', 'honour based violence' or 'izzat' embrace a variety of crimes of violence including assault, imprisonment and murder, where the person is being punished by their family or their community.
They are being punished for actually, or allegedly, undermining what the family or community believes to be the correct code of behaviour. In transgressing 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.
Welchman and Hossain state, "The term crimes of honour encompasses a variety of manifestations of violence against women; including murder termed 'honour killings', assault, confinement or imprisonment and interference with choice in marriage where the publicly articulated justification is attributed to a social order claimed to require the preservation of a concept of honour vested in male family and or conjugal control over women and specifically women's sexual conduct - actual, suspected or potential." (Welchman, Lynn and Hossain, Sara, eds. (2005) Honour: Crimes, Paradigms and Violence against women. Zed Books (London))
For local support and advice
Women's Aid in Luton
Tel - 01582 391856 (Mon-Fri 1000-1700)
Offering refuge, outreach, drop-in, freedom programme.
Women's Aid in Luton website
Luton Police Force Marriage & Honour Based Abuse Unit
Please call 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress.
Luton Police Force Marriage & Honour Based Abuse Unit website
Other contacts
Honour Network
Tel - 0800 5999 247
Website - www.karmanirvana.org.uk
The Honour Network helpline is a confidential helpline, providing emotional and practical support and advice for victims and survivors (male and female) of forced or child marriage and/or honour based violence and abuse. It provides advice and support to potential victims, victims in crisis and professional agencies.