Honour based violence

This page contains a number of resources concerning Honour Based Violence; including Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) & Forced Marriage (FM).

Honour Based Violence Monitoring Form (Aug 16)

Honour Based Violence, Forced Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation - Information Sheet

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

FGM is a criminal offence in the UK. It is a form of child abuse and violence against women and girls, involving procedures which include the partial or total removal of the external female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The practice is extremely painful and has serious health consequences, both at the time the mutilation is carried out, and later in life.

The age at which girls undergo FGM varies enormously. The procedure may be carried out when the girl is new born, during childhood or adolescence, just before marriage or during the first pregnancy. However, the majority of cases are thought to take place between the ages of 5 and 8 years. A recent study revealed that 137,000 women in England and Wales are estimated to be living with the consequences of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

The FGM Act 2003 came into force in 2004 which makes it illegal to

• Practice FGM in the UK
• Take girls who are British nationals or permanent residents of the UK abroad for FGM whether or not it is lawful in that country.
• Aid and abet, counsel or procure the carrying out of FGM.

In July 2015 section 73 Serious Crime Act 2015 was enacted and FGM Protection Orders (FGMPO) came into force.

From the 31st October 2015, mandatory reporting duty was introduced, which requires regulated health and social care professionals and teachers in England and Wales to report 'known' cases of FGM in under 18s which they identify in the course of their professional work to the police

Forced Marriage (FM)

A Forced Marriage is where one or both people do not (or in cases of people with learning disabilities, cannot) consent to the marriage and pressure or abuse is used. It is recognised in the UK as a form of violence against women and men, domestic/child abuse and a serious abuse of human rights. It is illegal and the first prosecutions have taken place. Statistics from the Home Office Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) for the period January to December 2015 show that that the FMU gave advice or support related to a possible forced marriage in 1,267 cases.