So-called honour-based abuse inquiry launched

The Women and Equalities Committee launch an inquiry into so-called honour-based abuse, as part of its work on preventing violence against women and girls.

• Inquiry: So-called honour-based abuse
• Women and Equalities Committee

The Committee’s inquiry aims to understand more about the nature and prevalence of abuse committed to protect or defend the so-called honour of an individual, family or community. Research indicates that abuse motivated by so-called honour is most often directed at women, with crimes including murder, female genital mutilation, forced marriage and physical and psychological abuse.

There were 2,887 honour-based abuse-related offences recorded by the police in England and Wales in the year ending in March 2022, though the Home Office says it is a hidden crime and these are likely to only represent a small proportion of the actual offences committed that year.

MPs are interested in exploring the barriers faced by victims of such abuse in seeking support or protection. The police response and the legal protections for victims will also be examined in the inquiry.

Committee member leading the inquiry, Kim Johnson MP, said: “Honour-based abuse has been brought to our attention several times as an important area to investigate. “We know that the true number of offences is likely to be much higher than reported and more must be done to make sure victims feel safe enough to seek help. “We want to understand more about who commits this kind of abuse and in what contexts, so that it can be better countered, and its victims better served.”