Read the announcement here.
The UK government’s announcement that so-called ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) will be formally recognised through new statutory guidance and a legal definition marks a landmark moment in the fight to end violence against women and girls. For decades, survivors and specialist organisations have campaigned for this change, and this month, the introduction of a statutory definition (and accompanying guidance) recognises the lived realities of those too often failed by gaps in the system.
This policy progress is a joyous but reflective moment. Right to Equality, alongside Karma Nirvana and more than twenty other organisations and individuals, have called for the definition under Karma Nirvana’s #Push4Change campaign and Somaiya’s Law (and Week of Memory). The lack of a definition meant that frontline professionals, from police to social workers, often struggled to identify and respond consistently to high-risk cases. Without clear legal recognition, victims were falling through cracks, and preventable tragedies meant voices were left unheard until it was too late.
We know that systemic change only happens when survivors, families and advocates work together with courage and persistence. This announcement is a testament to that collective effort. This is a tribute to the memory of women like Fawziyah Javed, Banaz Mahmod, Shafilea Ahmed, Dr Nazim Mahmood, Abida Karim, Somaiya Begum, and many more.
The new definition also means teachers, healthcare professionals, social workers, and police officers will be trained to recognise HBA for what it is:
An incident or pattern of violence, threats of violence, intimidation, coercion, control or abuse (including but not limited to psychological, physical, sexual, economic, spiritual, faith-related or emotional abuse) motivated by the perpetrator’s perception that an individual has shamed, or may shame, the perpetrator, the family, or community or has otherwise broken, or may break, the perceived norms of the community’s accepted behaviours, including by speaking out about the abuse and where the perception of shame may also prevent a victim from accessing support or help.
(Karma Nirvana, sector-wide definition)
Alongside the statutory definition, the government has pledged to improve police risk assessment, pilot a prevalence study, and launch a national community awareness campaign. These are critical steps to bring accurate data to light, which will help policymakers understand scale, raise awareness to empower survivors, and encourage communities to come forward.
Of course, the moment is well worth celebrating, but we also look to the future for further positive change. A definition on paper is only as strong as its implementation in practice. Survivors need to see real change in how their cases are handled and how they are safeguarded, whether that is a teacher recognising early warning signs, a police officer responding quickly to provide protection, or a court holding a perpetrator to account. Resources must follow policy. Funding specialist services like Karma Nirvana’s national HBA helpline, Halo Project Charity, IKWRO, Savera UK, the Naz & Matt Foundation, and more is essential to supporting survivors and building trust. There is more work to be done addressing broader cultural and structural contexts as well, which is why continued partnership between government, statutory agencies, and support service providers is crucial.
Survivors must always be at the heart of shaping what comes next.
Right to Equality welcomes this progress and recognises that the real measure of success will be the lives protected. We honour the courage of survivors and families who refused to be silent. We grieve the lives lost. We commit to ensuring this is not the end of a journey, but the beginning of continual progress towards a safer future for all.
If you or someone you know is affected by this, please reach out to specialist services such as:
Karma Nirvana: 0800 5999 247 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
IKWRO: https://ikwro.org.uk/need-help/
The Halo Project: 01642 683 045 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
Savera UK: 0800 107 0726 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm)
Al-Hasaniya Moroccan Women’s Centre: 020 30 48 44 88
Sikh Women’s Aid: 0333 090 1220