Honour Based Violence is Domestic Violence – 10th March – Leeds
International Women’s Day is usually marked on the 8th March each year. It is a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women. This year Safer Leeds would like to raise awareness of a specific issue affecting many women in our communities.
Honour Based Violence is Domestic Violence
Honour based violence involves a range of abusive behaviour towards someone for perceived immoral acts which causes a family or community to feel shame and dishonour. What constitutes this dishonour depends on those involved – but it can be anything from wearing clothes or choosing a career which the family disapprove of, to marrying outside of the community. The abuse can range in severity and can be both physical and mental. In extreme circumstances, the person believed to have brought ‘dishonour’ upon the family is murdered, this is known as an ‘honour killing’.
Honour based violence cuts across all cultures and communities however, it is most likely to occur in cultures which are male dominated. The majority of the victims are women, although women e.g. sisters and mothers may also play a part in the violence. Honour based violence is not a religious act but often the guilty have tried to justify their action on religious grounds. The key factors are cultural and generational divisions; the victim has often refused to comply with a family or culture’s self-proclaimed code or rules.
Honour Based Violence Event
Banquet Hall, Leeds Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR.
10th March 2009 from 1.30pm to 4pm
1.00–1.30 : Tea and coffee
1.30–3.30 : Speakers
3.30–4.00 : The Way Forward – Questions & Answers Session
Nazir Afzal OBE Director, CPS – (CPS perspective on forced marriage cases as honour based violence)
Imkaan – (Provide awareness on raising issues on honour based violence faced by BME women and children)
Philip Balmforth – (West Yorkshire Police’s perspective on specific issues faced by BME women linking to honour based violence)
ACCM Sheffield – (Provide awareness on Female Genital Mutilation and the context in which it occurs)
Places are free but limited. For availability please contact Angela Singh
e: angela.singh@leeds.gov.uk
t: 0113 3952135
m: 07804507749 (for Deaf or hard of hearing people)
f: 0113 3950825
