Honour Based Abuse

Leave this site quickly and head to BBC News.

Skip to information using the links below:

What is honour-based abuse?

‘Honour-based’ abuse is a crime. It is a form of domestic abuse and is used to control a woman or young person which is carried out by a family or community member. The people who carry out the abuse may say that the woman or young person has brought shame on themselves or their family.

It can take the form of being isolated, threatened, physical violence, extreme pressure and some women have been murdered. Some families/communities abuse women and girls, saying it is because they want to protect the family or community ‘honour’ or ‘izzat’.

  • have a relationship with someone
  • refuse a forced marriage
  • wear make-up or certain clothes or socialising in a way which the family/community disapproves of
  • being, or coming out as, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex.

What does the law say?

Although there is no specific law that covers honour-based abuse, it is covered by existing legislation. For example, things like physical violence, emotional abuse, being threatened or being isolated from others could be covered by the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018.  

Where can you get help and support?

In Scotland there are organisations that specialise in supporting women and children who have experienced ‘honour based’ abuse:

Find out where to get additional support.

Leave this site quickly and head to BBC News.

Visit the That’s Not OK campaign page for more information.

Other content you might be interested in

All ages

Personal Safety Apps & Tech

There are lots of useful apps and phone settings that can offer help, support, and/or a way to record what’s…

Personal Safety Apps & Tech
All ages

Activate Your Rights

Activate Your Rights is information created for young people, by young people in partnership with Children in Scotland, Scottish Government…

Activate Your Rights
All ages

#DigiKnow | Cyber Careers & Online Safety

Want to start a career in Cyber Security? Well, ‘Digi Know?’ is here to help! We’ve put together a guide…

#DigiKnow | Cyber Careers & Online Safety
All ages

Young People’s Rights (UNCRC)

There is lots of information about young people’s rights. See what organisations promote them.

Young People’s Rights (UNCRC)
HIDE PAGELeave this site quickly
Back to top of the page