“The impact of honour-based abuse is devastating"
Agencies across the criminal justice system have joined forces to tackle honour-based abuse at the first multi-agency conference on the issue.
The event, held in Birmingham on March 17, 2025, brought together the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the Home Office to improve justice for victims.
Third-sector organisations and key figures, including Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Jess Phillips MP, also took part.
Jaswant Narwal, Chief Crown Prosecutor and National Honour-Based Abuse lead for the CPS, said:
“Being the victim of abuse, violence or sexual assault is undoubtedly a harrowing experience, and when this abuse is ‘honour-based’, the challenges can often feel impossible to overcome.
“Our people are determined to see offenders brought to justice and will not hesitate to prosecute for these awful crimes when the legal requirements are met.
“Yesterday’s conference highlighted the cross-system action needed to deliver justice for more victims and encourage them to come forward against their abusers.
“By using this opportunity to consult third-sector organisations and expert voices on our joint protocol with the police, we will strengthen our collective response to honour-based abuse.”
Honour-based abuse includes crimes such as domestic or sexual abuse, forced marriage, and female genital mutilation (FGM).
Victims often face these crimes at the hands of their own families or communities, and cases are frequently under-reported.
The offences aim to protect the perceived honour of the family or community, sometimes leading to collective efforts to shield perpetrators rather than support victims.
National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Honour-Based Abuse, Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet, said:
“The impact of honour-based abuse is devastating and inflicts life-long harm on victims.
“Perpetrators of abuse are enabled by silence and it’s important that we listen to and amplify the experiences of victim-survivors to make meaningful progress.
“Policing needs to always do more to ensure that officers understand and identify honour-based abuse early so they can protect victims and prevent this awful abuse.
“We know that victims face barriers when trying to access support and help, which is why we must work together across agencies and wider society to put an end to honour-based abuse.”
Jess Phillips MP reinforced the government’s commitment to tackling the issue. She added:
“There is no honour in honour-based abuse which is a serious crime and a human rights abuse – no one should have to experience it.
“This conference marks a crucial step in bringing together the Home Office, Crown Prosecution Service, the police, and specialist sector organisations to raise awareness about these crimes and to consider how we strengthen our approach to tackling them.
“This Government will use every tool available to crack down on honour-based abuse as part of our mission to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.”
Solicitor General, Lucy Rigby KC MP, added:
“There is no justification for honour-based abuse in our society today.”
“It was a privilege to talk at the conference to raise awareness of the plight of victims and address the improvements needed.
“Partners across the justice system are collaborating to work with the CPS to help them secure justice for victims of these crimes and hold perpetrators to account in every possible case.
“This government’s Plan for Change is committed to eradicating violence against women and girls.”
The conference highlighted the need for early intervention, stronger multi-agency cooperation, and increased victim support.
It forms part of the government’s wider strategy to halve violence against women and girls over the next decade.
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