Commissioner secures funding to tackle ‘honour’-based abuse

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire has welcomed the news that his latest bids to the Government’s Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Interventions Fund, worth more than £3 million, have been successful.

More than £321,000 of additional funding is being used to help those at risk of ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA).

The funding has enabled the Commissioner to enhance his partnership with Savera UK to address and raise awareness of HBA and harmful practices. There will also be training for professionals on how to spot the signs of HBA, as well as equipping them with the right tools when working with those at risk.

HBA is a crime or incident committed to protect or defend the ‘honour’ of a family or community. HBA and harmful practices can include child/forced marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM) and virginity testing as well as other culturally-specific abuse.

This funding means that Savera UK have been able to further support a HBA and Harmful Practices Specialist Worker, working in their one-to-one Direct Intervention team, providing direct intervention to survivors and those at risk or under threat of HBA and harmful practices.

John Dwyer, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, said:

“I am delighted to secure this funding and that the partnership with Savera UK is growing. Educating and empowering practitioners to spot the signs of HBA and respond appropriately and confidently to those at risk is extremely important.

“By raising awareness of HBA and harmful practices, we can help to break the taboo around the subject, providing support for people who feel there may be no other way out.

“In my Police and Crime Plan, I make clear my commitment to helping those who have a greater risk of becoming a victim of crime. I believe this enhancement of the project being delivered by Savera UK will help safeguard and support survivors and help them to continue with their lives.”

The signs of HBA and harmful practices can be difficult to spot, so the importance of raising awareness and education is key. As part of this project, training sessions will be delivered to school and front-line professionals, encouraging them to act.

Afrah Qassim, Founder and CEO of Savera UK, said:

“I would like to thank the Police and Crime Commissioner for this opportunity to grow our relationship, supporting the development and delivery of Savera UK’s specialist services within in Cheshire. Since 2016 the charity has delivered one-to-one safeguarding and advocacy to those at risk and survivors of HBA and harmful practices, while campaigning to end these violations of human rights for good. 

“Misconceptions about HBA and harmful practices can put those experiencing these types of abuse at further risk, both directly and indirectly. We have seen first-hand how professionals working closely with those at risk can be unaware of the level of danger.

“Our specialist team works tirelessly to challenge decisions which risk putting survivors in further danger.

“It’s through these experiences we know how vital education is in ending HBA and harmful practices for good. Through delivering education and training sessions in Cheshire thanks to this funding, we will raise awareness among professionals, young people and the general public to help safeguard those at risk.

"Focusing our work in Cheshire, knowing we will be able to reach more people at risk and raise further awareness is an exciting prospect and helps us continue to work towards our vision of a world without HBA and harmful practices."

There are many signs of HBA and other harmful practices, indicators can include:

• House arrest – being kept at home with no choice of freedom or movement.
• Being accompanied at all times be a family member, they may even speak on their behalf.
• Becoming withdrawn or displaying a change in behaviour.
• Family disputes.
• Presenting a fear of being taken abroad.

John Dwyer added:

“If you are experiencing or witnessing HBA, please speak out. I know it’s not an easy thing to do and takes a lot of courage. But the support is available to you.

“By working in partnerships such as this one, we can help to eradicate HBA and harmful practices within our communities.”

Recent successful bids to the Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Interventions Fund have seen the total amount of extra funding secured by the OPCC exceed £13 million in John Dwyer’s term as Police and Crime Commissioner, meaning every £1 spent on the OPCC budget has generated around £7.60 for policing, crime prevention and supporting victims.

The Savera UK helpline is open weekdays 10am – 4pm on 0800 107 0726, there are also referral forms for individuals and professionals available on the “Get Help” section of the website.

Find out more about Savera UK here: 

www.saverauk.co.uk

Pictured - Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer and Founder and CEO of Savera UK Afrah Qassim.