Honour-Based Abuse and Forced Marriage: Definition, Indicators and Professional Response
Honour-Based Abuse (HBA) and Forced Marriage are serious forms of abuse that can affect children and young people. They often involve coercion, control, violence, intimidation, emotional pressure and threats from family members, extended family, community members or others acting on behalf of the family.
Children and young people experiencing Honour-Based Abuse or Forced Marriage may face significant harm and are often under considerable pressure to protect family members, cultural expectations or perceived family honour.
Professionals must recognise that these are safeguarding concerns requiring immediate action. The safety of the child or young person must always take priority.
This guidance should be read alongside:
What is Honour-Based Abuse?
Honour-Based Abuse is a collection of practices used to control behaviour within families or communities where actions are believed to have brought shame or dishonour upon the family.
It may involve:
- Emotional abuse
- Physical violence
- Sexual abuse
- Coercive control
- Isolation
- Harassment
- Surveillance
- Forced marriage
- Threats to kill
- Kidnap
- Abduction
- So-called “honour” crimes
Honour-Based Abuse is a form of domestic abuse and child abuse.
There is no honour in abuse.
What is Forced Marriage?
A forced marriage is a marriage where one or both people do not consent and where pressure, threats, coercion or abuse are used.
Forced marriage is different from an arranged marriage.
Arranged Marriage
In an arranged marriage:
- Both parties freely choose whether to marry.
- Consent is present.
- Either person can refuse.
Forced Marriage
In a forced marriage:
- Consent is absent or cannot be freely given.
- Pressure or coercion is used.
- A person is unable to refuse safely.
A child cannot be expected to consent freely where there is coercion or pressure from family members.
Forced marriage is a criminal offence.
Why Honour-Based Abuse and Forced Marriage Matter
Children and young people may experience significant harm.
Physical Harm
Children may experience:
- Assault
- Physical punishment
- Injury
- Sexual violence
- Confinement
- Abduction
Emotional Harm
Children may experience:
- Fear
- Anxiety
- Isolation
- Depression
- Trauma
- Self-harm
- Suicidal thoughts
Educational and Social Harm
Children may experience:
- School absence
- Social isolation
- Restrictions on friendships
- Restrictions on activities
- Loss of independence
- Withdrawal from education
In the most extreme circumstances, Honour-Based Abuse can result in serious injury or death.
Understanding Honour-Based Abuse
Abuse Is Often Hidden
Children and young people may:
- Fear consequences if they disclose.
- Feel responsible for protecting family members.
- Minimise concerns.
- Fear rejection from their family or community.
- Be closely monitored.
Professionals should recognise that disclosures may be partial, indirect or delayed.
Multiple Family Members May Be Involved
Unlike some other forms of abuse, several family members may support or participate in Honour-Based Abuse.
Risk may come from:
- Parents
- Siblings
- Extended family
- Community members
- Individuals acting on behalf of the family
This can significantly increase the level of risk.
Abuse May Escalate Rapidly
Risk can increase quickly when:
- Concerns are disclosed.
- Relationships are discovered.
- A child attempts to leave the family home.
- Family members become aware of professional involvement.
Effective safety planning is critical.
How Might Honour-Based Abuse Present?
Children and young people may present with:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Self-harm
- Social isolation
- School attendance concerns
- Family control over daily activities
- Restrictions on freedom
- Fear regarding relationships or family expectations
Professionals should look beyond presenting issues and explore the wider context.
Signs and Indicators
Family Control and Restrictions
Children may:
- Have limited social contact.
- Be prevented from attending activities.
- Have friends chosen by family members.
- Be closely monitored.
- Have restricted access to technology.
- Be supervised unusually closely.
Relationship ConcernsProfessionals should explore risk where a child:
- Has a relationship not approved by family members.
- Expresses fear about family discovering a relationship.
- Is concerned about marriage arrangements.
- Is experiencing pressure regarding future marriage.
Education Concerns
Professionals may notice:
- Poor attendance.
- Sudden withdrawal from education.
- Frequent unexplained absence.
- Planned or unexpected travel abroad.
- Reduced educational opportunities.
Emotional and Behavioural Indicators
Children may:
- Appear anxious or fearful.
- Present as withdrawn.
- Self-harm.
- Express hopelessness.
- Become isolated from peers.
- Show signs of emotional distress.
Travel-Related Indicators
Professionals should be particularly alert where:
- Travel abroad is planned unexpectedly.
- A child appears worried about a forthcoming trip.
- Family members cannot clearly explain travel arrangements.
- Travel coincides with school holidays.
- There are concerns regarding marriage abroad.
Questions for Professional Curiosity
Professionals should consider:
- What is the child worried about?
- How much freedom does the child have?
- Who is making decisions about the child’s life?
- Has there been discussion about marriage?
- Is there pressure regarding relationships?
- Is travel being arranged?
- Are there other children in the family at risk?
- What would happen if the child refused?
- What information is known by other agencies?
- Is there evidence of coercion, control or intimidation?
Forced Marriage Protection Orders
Forced Marriage Protection Orders (FMPOs) are legal measures designed to prevent forced marriage or protect individuals who have already been forced into marriage.
Orders can:
- Prevent travel abroad.
- Restrict contact.
- Require surrender of passports.
- Protect children and young people at risk.
Further information:
Forced Marriage Unit
The Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) provides specialist advice and support to professionals and individuals experiencing forced marriage concerns.
The FMU is jointly operated by the Home Office and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Further information:
Practice Considerations
Never Attempt Mediation
Where Honour-Based Abuse or Forced Marriage is suspected, professionals should never:
- Mediate with the family.
- Arrange family meetings.
- Attempt reconciliation.
- Use family members as interpreters.
- Inform family members without a safeguarding plan.
These actions can significantly increase risk.
This is one of the most important safeguarding messages for professionals.
Do Not Approach Family Members for Verification
Professionals should not:
- Ask family members whether concerns are true.
- Seek assurances that the child is safe.
- Inform family members about disclosures without advice from safeguarding professionals.
Doing so may place the child at increased risk.
Safety Planning Is Critical
Professionals should consider:
- Immediate safety.
- Risk of family retaliation.
- Location safety.
- School and college safety.
- Travel risks.
- Risks to siblings and extended family members.
Children May Be at Risk of Multiple Forms of Harm
Honour-Based Abuse often overlaps with:
- Domestic abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Physical abuse
- Forced marriage
- Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
- Online monitoring and control
Professionals should complete holistic safeguarding assessments.
What Should Professionals Do?
Immediate Risk
If a child is:
- At immediate risk of forced marriage.
- About to be taken abroad.
- At risk of serious harm.
- Missing.
Take Immediate Action
- Call 999
- Contact Police immediately.
- Contact Children’s Social Care immediately.
- Seek urgent safeguarding advice.
Do not delay action.
Concerns About Honour-Based Abuse or Forced Marriage
Contact Children’s Social Care (MASH)
Telephone: 0191 424 5010
Monday to Thursday: 8.30am to 5.00pm
Friday: 8.30am to 4.30pm
Out of Hours
Telephone: 0191 456 2093
Referral Routes
Recording Honour-Based Abuse Concerns
Professionals should record:
- Child disclosures.
- Family circumstances.
- Travel plans.
- Relationship concerns.
- Threats or intimidation.
- Professional observations.
- Actions taken.
- Risk analysis.
Records should be factual, timely and child-focused.
Information Sharing
Appropriate information sharing is essential.
Professionals should share:
- Safeguarding concerns.
- Travel information.
- Family circumstances.
- Risk indicators.
- Previous concerns.
- Information relating to siblings or other vulnerable children.
Information sharing should be proportionate and focused on safeguarding the child.
Further guidance:
Local Guidance and Resources
South Tyneside
Regional
Relevant chapters include:
- Forced Marriage
- Honour-Based Abuse
- Female Genital Mutilation
- Domestic Abuse
- Child Protection
- Information Sharing
National Resources
- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/forced-marriage
- https://www.gov.uk/stop-forced-marriage
- Karma Nirvana
- NSPCC Honour-Based Abuse and Forced Marriage Guidance
- Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026
Key Practice Message
Honour-Based Abuse and Forced Marriage are serious forms of child abuse that can involve significant risk of harm. If concerns arise, the child’s safety must come first. Never attempt family mediation, never seek verification from family members, and never assume a child can refuse a marriage safely. Act immediately, seek safeguarding advice and ensure the child remains at the centre of all decision making.