Scale & Prevalence: Over 11,000 cases of so-called ‘honour’ crime were recorded by UK police between 2010 and 2014, and the Forced Marriage Unit supported over 1,400 cases in 2016 alone. Many cases remain unreported due to fear of isolation, retaliation, or lack of support.

Demographics: While HBV affects all genders and ages, 76% of recorded CPS cases involved female victims. Men with specific characteristics (such as disability or LGBTQ+ identity) are also at distinct risk.

Multiple Perpetrators: Unlike general domestic abuse where abuse usually stems from a single partner or family member, 54% of HBV victims face abuse from multiple perpetrators across wider family networks.

Duration & Harm: Victims at risk of HBV endure abuse for an average of 5 years before accessing support (compared to 3 years for other domestic abuse victims) and face a higher risk of serious harm or homicide (68% vs 55%).

Additional Vulnerabilities: Many victims face complex challenges including language barriers (26% require an interpreter) and immigration status issues (23% have no recourse to public funds).

• Domestic Abuse & Specialist Services:

  • Appoint trained ‘champions’ or specialists on HBV, forced marriage, and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

  • Review risk assessment guidance to capture high levels of coercive control that exist without explicit physical violence.

• Local Authorities & Statutory Agencies:

  • Train social workers, family law practitioners, and family court judges on the specific traits of HBV, such as child manipulation and extensive family perpetrator networks.

  • Ensure schools and youth services are aware of referral pathways for young victims.

• Central Government:

  • Fund temporary visas and refuge spaces for victims affected by transnational marriage abandonment or who have no recourse to public funds.

  • Provide funding for specialist translators to support advocacy efforts.

• Cross-Agency Action:

  • Ensure multi-agency training explicitly addresses cultural practices without fear of causing offense, while reinforcing that abuse is never justified by culture or tradition.