Honour-based violence
Honour-based violence violates individuals' fundamental rights and dignity. It is a form of violence rooted in cultural or traditional beliefs, where individuals, primarily women, face harm or even death for perceived violations of honour or cultural norms.
Various abusive practices, including forced marriages, female genital mutilation, and physical or psychological abuse, characterise honour-based violence. Involving control, coercion, and other mental, physical, sexual, or religious violent acts perpetrated by family or community members.
Underlying is the idea that the person subjected to violence has violated the family honour and/or community standards of conduct or suspicion of this. Through acts of violence, perpetrators think they are protecting or restoring their and the family’s honour, so others perceive them as a reputable family.
Due to this, violence and control may seem justified to both the perpetrators and the victim, even if it seriously violates the dignity and human rights of those experiencing violence. There are often many factors. Sometimes, the whole family or community can apply pressure and control.
The most significant factor in the emergence of conflicts and violent solutions is each family’s specific ways of functioning and resolving disputes, relationships with surrounding communities and broader society, and other family life histories and stressors.
- Preventing the independence of young people, putting pressure on a marriage, and controlling socialising
- An absolute requirement of chastity
- Forced marriage
- Violence and control in a relationship, or fear of
- Community persecution after separation
- Isolation from the community, damage to the reputation
- Female genital mutilation (FGM)
- Many other forms of mental, physical, economic, and sexual violence
Recognising and addressing honour-based, spiritual or religious violence is crucial to safeguarding individuals' rights, fostering religious freedom, and promoting harmonious coexistence among diverse communities.
It requires a comprehensive approach involving raising awareness, supporting survivors, engaging communities, and implementing legal measures to ensure accountability and protection. Challenging and changing the underlying beliefs, attitudes, and social structures perpetuating this form of violence is crucial.
You can call the nationwide helpline "Violence against women" on 116 016 and via online counselling (free of charge, available around the clock and anonymous). The counsellors support those affected by honour-based violence and put them in touch with local support facilities where they can find long-term help. Relatives, friends and professionals who suspect honour-based violence in their environment can also contact the helpline.
Men affected by forced marriage can contact the helpline "Violence against men" on 0800 1239900 or via instant chat during special chat counselling times. Contact by e-mail to beratung@maennerhilfetelefon.de. Consultation hours are Mon - Thu: 8 am - 8 pm and Fri: 8 am - 3 pm. Chat counselling hours are Mon - Thu: 12 - 3 pm and 5 - 7 pm.
Contacting will not bind you to anything.
By promoting gender equality, empowering individuals to make choices about their lives, and fostering inclusive and respectful societies, we can work towards eradicating honour-based violence and creating a world where every person can live free from fear and violence, irrespective of cultural or traditional norms.
