Honour Based Violence

Honour based violence is a violent crime or incident which may have been committed to protect or defend the so-called “honour” of a family or community.

Notions of honour have always existed in our societies. In this context, these notions framed within culture, religion or the need to preserve identity, are used as a vehicle for justifying mainly male violence against women, children and sometimes other men. Ultimately, this is rooted in a patriarchal position which establishes clearly defined gender roles and where women are seen as objects and/or property. They are therefore expected to conform to a prescribed set of appropriate behaviours.

Justification for this type of violence may include involvement with a boyfriend or girlfriend from a different culture or religion or the intention of leaving a forced or arranged marriage.