Police log 57% more 'honour-based' abuse offences in Bedfordshire

Honour-based abuse ~(HBA) is a crime committed to protect or defend the "honour" of an individual, family or community. It can include psychological, physical, sexual or financial abuse such as forced marriage, domestic abuse and threats to kill.

Earlier this year the Government announced new statutory guidance and a legal definition of HBA would be brought in to help the police, teachers and social workers better support victims and bring more perpetrators to justice.

Charity Karma Nirvana, who supports victims and survivors of HBA, welcomed the Government's latest plans, warning that it "remains one of the most hidden and complex forms of violence in our society".

New figures released by the Home Office show Bedfordshire Police recorded 71 HBA offences in the year to March, an increase from 45 the year before – a rise of 57 per cent.

Detective Superintendent David Skarratts said: “We welcome the increase in reports of honour-based abuse as this reflects a growing confidence in victims and communities to come forward and seek help. Reporting is a vital step toward protecting individuals and ensuring perpetrators are brought to justice.

“We want to reassure victims that they will be listened to and supported. We understand that you might be scared or feel disloyal, but we're here to listen and support you in any way we can.

Meanwhile police forces across England and Wales logged 2,949 HBA-related offences in the 12 months to March, marking a seven per cent rise on the 2,755 recorded the previous year.

Of the HBA-related offences logged nationwide in the year to March, 125 were forced marriages and 109 were female genital mutilation offences – down 38 per cent and two per cent respectively on the year before.

Around 22 per cent of the HBA offences related to controlling and coercive behaviour, 13 per cent to assault with injury and 10 per cent to the rape of a female aged 16 and over. Other HBA offences involved stalking, threats to kill, kidnapping and harassment.

DS Skarratts added: “Honour-based abuse is a serious crime, and we remain committed to working with partners to help safeguard victims of this type of abuse from harm.”

The Home Office said this should also ensure frontline staff take these crimes seriously and help bring more perpetrators to justice.

Natasha Rattu, executive director at Karma Nirvana, said: "HBA is not a single crime, but a pattern of control and violence often involving multiple perpetrators," she said.

"The data shows this clearly, spanning forced marriage, coercive control, sexual violence and abuse of children."

A Home Office spokesperson said: "HBA is a serious form of abuse that nobody should have to experience. We are tackling it through our mission to halve violence against women and girls within the next decade.

"Our approach is focused on bringing perpetrators to justice and ensuring victims receive the support they deserve. That is why, in August, we committed to six measures to tackle HBA and help put more perpetrators behind bars."

Advice on how to report, the signs to look out for, or how to get support, can be found here on the Bedfordshire Police website.