Find help and support for victims of forced marriage or Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Harmful practices are forms of violence and abuse usually committed against women and girls. They take place in certain communities and societies. They've been practiced for so long that societies and perpetrators consider them acceptable.
Men can also be victims of harmful practices and so called honour based violence.
This can happen if a man is considered to not fit in with the ideas of traditional masculinity from a community. Gay or bisexual men can often be targets of this type of abuse, but any man can be a victim.
If you are experiencing honour based violence, find help and support below.
‘Honour-based' violence (HBV) and abuse is a crime or incident committed to protect or defend the honour of a family or community.
It can happen when a perpetrator believes that a person has shamed the family or wider community by breaking their honour code.
It is different to other forms of abuse because it often includes collusion from family and members of the community.
Although it is difficult to get a true figure, we estimate that 12 women per year are murdered in the UK as a result of ‘honour’ based violence.
The government definition of forced marriage (2010) is:
A forced marriage is where one or both people do not or cannot consent to the marriage and pressure or abuse is used to force them into the marriage. It is also when anything is done to make someone marry before they turn 18, even if there is no pressure or abuse.
Forced marriage is a significant part of the abuse for many victims of HBV.
Abuse used on people to marry against their will can include:
It is important not to confuse ‘forced’ marriage with ‘arranged’ marriage.
An arranged marriage is when the families are involved in helping to choose the marriage partner. It is the choice of both the bride and groom whether they want to get married or not.
A forced marriage is when they have no choice or feel that they have no choice.
According to the World Health Organisation:
Female genital mutilation (FGM), comprises of all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The practice has no health benefits for girls and women and cause severe bleeding and problems urinating, and later cysts, infections, as well as complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths.
FGM can cause long-lasting physical, emotional and psychological trauma. In some cases, it can cause death.
"I was worried about repercussions from my family and the wider community. I thought that if I told somebody, I would basically be ostracised, I didn’t want to bring any shame on my family, it wasn’t just about me, it was them as well."
The Female Genital Mutilation Act was introduced in 2003 and came into effect in March 2004.
The Act:
If you know a British national who’s already been taken abroad, contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office via the Home Office website or phone 02070 081 500.
NSPCC is a national charity working to prevent abuse, help rebuild children's lives and support families.
The African women-led women's rights organisation working to end violence against women and girls.
Stonewater run drop-in sessions for survivors of domestic abuse from marginalised and minoritised communities.
The PWER Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) provides free, confidential information and support to people who experience racism and who have also had an unwanted sexual experience, either recently or in the past.
A domestic abuse service by and for LGBTQ+ people who have experienced domestic abuse.
Karma Nirvana is a specialist service providing guidance and advice for victims and survivors of honour-based abuse in the UK.
Southall Black Sisters highlight and challenge all forms of violence against women and girls, empowering them to gain control over their lives and assert their human rights to justice, equality and freedom.
Rights of Women provide an immigration and asylum law phone line offering advice for women on immigration status, domestic abuse law and financial support options including for women with no recourse to public funds.
HERSANA offers comprehensive support services to Black femmes who have experienced any form of Gender-Based Violence throughout England and Wales.
The Naz and Matt Foundation offers support for LGBTQ+ people who are experiencing or have experienced Honor Based Violence.
The government’s Forced Marriage: a survivors handbook provides useful and practical information for victims of forced marriage.
Contact the government’s Forced Marriage Unit, which provides information, guidance and resources for responding to forced marriage. Phone 02070 080 151.
The government has produced a FGM Resource Pack and a Statement Opposing FGM if you're worried about FGM happening on a family holiday. Keep the declaration in your passport, purse or bag, and carry it with you all the time.
Find support services for victims of: