Honour Based Abuse, Forced Marriage and FGM

This page contains detailed information about sexual violence, domestic abuse, so called “honour-based abuse”, forced marriage, female genital mutilation, hate crime, discrimination, bullying, harassment, stalking, spiking and terrorism. The content may be distressing or harmful to audiences.

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If you are affected by any of the information and would like support, please contact studentservices@chester.ac.uk or call 01244 511 550.

So-called “honour”- based abuse (HBA)

HBA is a crime or incident which has, or may have been, committed to protect or defend the honour of the family and/or community. The concept of honour can be extremely important to some communities, with it being valued above the safety and wellbeing of others.

If a family’s or a community’s honour is perceived to be compromised or at risk, this may be viewed as shameful. Families or communities that feel ashamed of an individual’s behaviour sometimes take extreme action to reprimand the individual, as they believe this will restore honour. These actions can include emotional abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse, disownment and even murder.

If you have experienced, or are experiencing, so called “honour” based violence, it is not your fault. No matter how ashamed you may have been made to feel, violence and abuse are never justified.

Forced Marriage

Forced marriage is when you do not consent to a marriage, with pressure and abuse often being used to force you to marry. Forced marriage is not the same as an arranged marriage as if both individuals willingly and freely consent to the marriage, it is not forced.

Forcing someone into marriage is a criminal offence in the UK, which includes taking someone abroad to marry, or marrying someone that doesn’t have the capacity to consent. Forced marriage involving anyone under the age of 18 constitutes as a form of child abuse.

If an individual refused a forced marriage, this could be perceived as dishonourable to their family, who may then attempt to restore the honour through “honour” based violence. Likewise, forced marriage may also be used as a form of “honour” based violence.

If you have experienced, or are experiencing, forced marriage, it is not your fault. No matter how much pressure or abuse you may be facing, it should be your decision if you want to marry someone else.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

FGM is when the external female genitalia is deliberately cut, injured, or changed without a medical reason for doing so. It is usually carried out on young girls between the ages of 8-15. It is very painful and can seriously harm the health of women and girls, potentially causing long-term problems with sex, childbirth, and mental health. FGM is illegal in the UK and constitutes as a form of child abuse.

FGM is often used as a form of “honour” based violence.

How to report

Students can make an appointment with the Wellbeing and Mental Health team to talk through reporting options. You can contact them by emailing: studentservices@chester.ac.uk or calling 01244 511 550

You can read more about how to report an incident of HBA, forced marriage or FGM to the University or the police with your contact details.

You can read more about how to report an incident of HBA, forced marriage or FGM to the University or the police anonymously. Please note, if you provide any identifiable details in your report, the police may be able to identify who you are.

How to Get Support

University Support

You can access confidential support if you have experienced Sexual Violence, from a Sexual Violence Liaison Officer. To arrange an appointment to meet with an SVLO, you can contact report@chester.ac.uk , call 01244 511550 or use the Report a Concern website. 

The Wellbeing and Mental Health team can provide confidential advice and support for you and other students who may have been affected by an incident of HBA, forced marriage or FGM.

You can contact them by:

Student Counselling is a free counselling service available for all students that provides a confidential, safe space for you to talk. You can complete a self-referral by emailing: studentservices@chester.ac.uk 

External Support

Karma Nirvana run a free, confidential telephone helpline that offers practical and emotional support from trained professionals. You can contact them by calling 0800 5999 247 or by visiting their website

Forced Marriage Unit offer a free confidential telephone helpline that offers advice and support to those in, or at risk from, a forced marriage. You can contact them by calling 020 7008 0151 or by visiting their website

The Halo Project operate a national specialist support telephone line for those experiencing, or at risk of, domestic and sexual violence, including HBA, FGM and forced marriage. You can contact them by calling 01642 683045, emailing info@haloproject.org.uk or visiting their website