‘Honour-based abuse’ refers to harmful behaviours used to control individuals within families or communities to protect perceived cultural, religious, or familial honour. These behaviours may include physical violence, emotional manipulation, abandonment, and in extreme cases, honour killings. Abuse may occur when someone is perceived to have brought ‘dishonour’ to the family or community, by not conforming to expected norms.
Some examples of honour-based abuse include:
- Forced marriage: Coercing individuals into marrying against their will, often to uphold family honour or strengthen social ties.
- Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: Involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons, often carried out as a way to control a woman's sexuality and preserve family honour.
- Virginity testing
- Enforced abortion
- Physical and verbal abuse
- Confinement
- Abduction
- Sexual abuse
- Murder or "Honour Killings”
RGU SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS & STAFF:
- Report and Support. Students and staff can report an incident using the University’s Report and Support system. The purpose of this system is to provide support in the event of sexual violence or harassment. You can also choose to make an anonymous report.
- Student Counselling & Wellbeing Centre. The Counselling & Wellbeing Centre is here to help and support you throughout your time at University.
- RGU 24/7 Support - Our 24/7 Student Support Service is a free professional telephone & message support service, providing in-the-moment emotional and psychological support for students, any time of day or night. Call: 0800 031 8227
- Staff Lifeworks Employee Assistance Programme. The EAP service offers confidential independent help, information, and guidance to University staff. It is accessed by telephone or web portal and is totally confidential. The Helpline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to employees. It also allows for up to six face-to-face counselling sessions, offered near the caller’s home or place of work.
OTHER SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
- Hemat Gryffe help women in Glasgow who experience domestic or honour based abuse
- Shakti Women's Aid help black minority ethnic (BME) women and children who experience domestic abuse
- Scottish Women's Aid offers 24/7 support for women and children affected by domestic abuse, forced marriage, or sexual crime (phone: 0800 027 1234)
- Karma Nirvana support anyone who experiences honour based abuse
- Amina (the Muslim Women’s Resource Centre offers support and events for Muslim and minority ethnic women including a free, confidential helpline (phone: 0808 801 0301)
- Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline offers support for anyone experiencing abuse, and their friends, family, and support workers (phone: 0800 027 1234)
- Safeguarding Network for signs of honour based abuse and what to do
- Samaritans are available to talk about anything that’s troubling you, no matter how large or small the issue. You don't have to be suicidal. Call: 116 123. Lines are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Breathing Space where experienced advisors will listen and offer information and advice. Call their Helpline number: 0800 83 85 87 Opening hours: Weekdays: Monday-Thursday 6pm to 2am. Weekend: Friday 6pm-Monday 6am
- Four Pillars – Supporting Grampians LGBT+ Community (fourpillarsuk.org)
- Penumbra - Supporting Scotland's Mental Health a charity providing dedicated services for people experiencing mild to serious and enduring mental ill health.