A Merseyside-based national charity that helps people at risk of ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) and harmful practices like FGM and forced marriage has warned that HBA remains a local issue, despite a decrease in reports of HBA-related offences by police.
Data published by the Home Office last week has shown a 25 percent decrease in ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA)-related offences reported by police in Merseyside in the year ending March 2024, and an eight percent decrease nationally.
However, in the same year Savera UK has seen a 36 per cent increase in HBA referrals into its service.
To raise awareness and visibility of these issues the charity will march through Liverpool city centre, from Williamson Square to Derby Square, on Saturday 23rd November, for its annual “March to End HBA”.
The march will start at 12 noon and be led by Savera UK, Zonta UK and Katumba Drumming & Movement, to break the silence around HBA and harmful practices. At Derby Square there will be speeches from Kim Johnson MP, Merseyside PCC, Emily Spurrell, Dianne Jeans from Zonta UK and Afrah Qassim, CEO and Founder of Savera UK. Survivor stories will be read, there will be performances from Savera UK Youth and an uplifting finale performed by Wavertree Community Gospel Choir.
Speaking of the latest HBA data, Savera UK CEO and Founder, Afrah Qassim, said: “While a decrease in reports of HBA-offences appears positive, for us as a frontline grassroots organisation, the latest data is deeply concerning and there has never been a greater need for us to work to raise awareness.
“What is being reported by police contradicts what we are seeing on the ground, which is actually increasing referrals for HBA and harmful practices such as FGM and forced marriage. HBA remains a local issue that happens here and can affect anyone.
“We believe that the decrease may be indicative of challenges such as fear or reluctance to report HBA offences to police out of fear for reprisal or consequences; the fear of not being believed or the issues not being understood, or the high risk of harm that is characteristic of HBA and harmful practices not being recognised.
“While there have been considerable improvements, today’s data suggests that there is still a lack of understanding and education around HBA and harmful practices that are impacting identification, response and reporting by the police and other statutory services.
“Through our partnership with Merseyside PCC as a commissioned service over the past six years we have been able to help and empower police and other professionals to better identify cases of HBA and respond appropriately, which has been reflected in the number of cases being identified in Merseyside and referrals into our services, but there is still work to be done.
“Fear and reluctance to report HBA offences needs to be addressed by well-funded community engagement led by specialist organisations in this field, to break down those barriers.
“Further training and education are also needed to help police and other professionals better identify, respond to and record HBA offences. The disparity in police data and what specialist services are seeing also raises a question mark over if current recording systems are fit for purpose.
“Despite the decrease in reports revealed in the latest data, we know that what is reported and even what we see on the frontline is only the tip of the iceberg. We are fortunate to work in partnership with Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner and welcome her commitment to improving responses locally, as well as contributing to our mission to end HBA and harmful practices for good.
“We invite everyone to join us on Saturday 23rd November to March to End HBA and break the silence around these issues.”
The latest data also revealed a 14% decrease in reports of HBA incidents in Merseyside, which refer to incidents reported to the police that following investigation do not amount to an offence, according to the National Crime Recording Standard.
Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “’Honour’-based abuse and harmful practices are among the most complex, multi-faceted and sensitive of crimes.
“Survivors, people at risk and witnesses are understandably often very reluctant to come forward, particularly when crimes are perpetrated by their own families. By doing so, they risk sacrificing their most precious relationships.
“That makes it critical that survivors and those at risk get the right support and care when they do seek help. I’m proud to have worked with Savera UK since taking office to provide that life-changing help for those who are at risk or have been subjected to or affected by harmful practices.
“But today’s statistics show there is still a long way to go in raising awareness of ‘honour’-based abuse and ensuring every survivor or person at risk has the confidence to report an incident.
“While we have seen significant increases in reports in recent years, it is disappointing this has not continued over the past year. It means more people are suffering in silence.
“These figures show how vital it is we continue to invest in education, particularly among our young people, if we are to tackle these issues and empower people to speak out.
“Crucially, it’s also about raising awareness on a broader level. We need everyone who may come into contact with a survivor or person at risk of harmful practices – whether that be through policing, health services, education or voluntary services – to know how to spot the warning signs and to signpost to the right services because there may only be one chance to save or change a life.”
Although HBA offences reported were down overall nationally the number of FGM offences increased slightly to 111 this year (vs 86 in 2022/23), as were forced marriage offences, which increased to 201 this year (vs 173 in 2022/23).
Dianne Jeans, Area Director for Zonta UK, added: “Zonta UK is proud to once again be partnering with Savera UK to raise awareness of HBA and harmful practices.
“Zontians are travelling from London, from Scotland and from Ireland to join the March on Saturday 23 November. Zonta is an international organisation which works with the UN globally to address all forms of violence against women.
“Violence against women and girls remains the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violation in the world. In many societies it is an unfortunate daily experience for women and girls. In the UK it is being called a national emergency. Violence is happening at all levels, in all areas of our society. The time for all of us to act – men and women together is now.”
Image: Savera UK March to End HBA 2023 – Andrew AB Photography
