Government Rejects Calls to Legally Define Honour-Based Abuse

The government has rejected calls to put in place a statutory definition of honour-based abuse along with immigration protection for victims.

Undated screen shot of a 'Speak Out' TV commercial, part of a new ad campaign to raise awareness about domestic violence and curb an escalating trend of abuse in Edmonton. Courtesy of Edmonton Police Service

The government has rejected calls to legally define honour-based abuse, a move which will further fail vulnerable victims, an MP has said.

Caroline Nokes, Tory chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, said the refusal to put a statutory definition on the crimes—which include forced marriage and female genital mutilation—allows abusers to continue threatening victims “into silence.”