There are many types of "honour" crimes, used against women or children.
“Honour” Based Violence
This is a range of criminal activity, from threats and abuse, to honour killing. This type of violence happens when it's believed that a relative or community member has shamed the family by breaking their honour code.
Forced Marriage
This is when a couple is married without the informed consent of either one or both parties.
Child Marriage
This is when at least one of the parties is too young to consent to marriage and is a child protection issue.
Women and men forced into marriage are typically placed under emotional duress to comply. The people carrying out the abuse are typically family members or members of their community. Victims can be talked into or forced into marriage, through:
- emotional abuse
- trickery
- physical assault
- unlawful imprisonment
- threats to kill
- withholding of passports and immigration documents
- other intimidating behaviours
Forced marriage is very different from an arranged marriage, where both parties freely consent to the marriage.
There is information available from the Scottish government. The Imams forced marriage statement is available in several languages.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
This is the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to a victim’s genitals. The procedure is usually carried out on girls between the ages of four and ten years. It can also be referred to as female circumcision or ‘cutting’.
These procedures frequently lead to a range of health problems. It is illegal and punishable with a prison sentence of up to 14 years. FGM can either be carried out in Britain or abroad and assisting in any way is illegal. FGM is a child protection issue.
Further information from the Scottish government can be accessed and statements opposing FGM can be found in different languages (English, Arabic, Swahili, Somali).
Read more on Child Protection information.
There are specialist agencies who can help:
- National Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline is available on 0800 027 1234, 24/7
- Fife Women’s Aid is available on 0808 802 5555, 24/7
- Shakti Women's Aid (Fife) is available on 0808 802 5555, 24/7
- Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit/Child Protection is available by calling 101
- NSPCC FGM Helpline is available on 0800 028 3550, 24/7
If you think you or your child(ren) are in immediate danger of being hurt, phone the police on 999.
Related Publications and Links
Honour Crimes:
Please refer to the Scottish Government Multi-agency Guidance for Responding to FGM
Female Genital Mutilation:
To report any concerns to the police, call the non-emergency number 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.