Day of Memory for victims of Honour Based Abuse
#WeRemember
9th Day of Memory for victims of Honour Based Abuse
14 July marks the annual day of remembrance for the victims of so-called Honour Based Abuse, (HBA) Forced Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Today we remember everyone who has suffered physical, emotional and psychological abuse based on honour and cultural beliefs across the UK and wider.
We remember 17 year old Shafilea Ahmed who was killed by her own parents 20 years ago on this day, and we also honour the memories of Somaiya Begum, Fawziyah Javed and Abida Karim who also lost their lives to Honour Based Abuse, and the others.
The concept of honour is for some communities deemed to be extremely important. To compromise a family's honour is to bring dishonour and shame and this can have severe consequences. In most honour-based abuse cases there are multiple perpetrators from the immediate family, sometimes the extended family and occasionally the community at large. To be clear, there is no “honour” in honour based abuse.
Karma Nirvana is an independent charity set up to run the national Honour Based Abuse Helpline which is free to call on 0800 5999 247, Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. Karma Nirvana also trains professionals, gathers data to inform policies and services, and campaigns for change.
The result of one of these campaigns was that the government declared an annual national day of memory, to be held on Shafilea’s birthday, 14 July. The first was held in 2015.
Find out more about Honour Based Abuse and how to report it on our website. If you or anyone else is in immediate danger, don’t hesitate to call 999.
www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/honour-based-abuse/honour-based-abuse
Image gallery:
select image to see larger version