Legal News

The government Minister for Preventing Abuse, Exploitation and Crime Karen Bradley has met survivors of honour-based violence and forced marriage during a visit to a charity in Leeds.

Charity Karma Nirvana provides support to victims of forced marriage and other forms of honour-based violence.

The charity also operates a national Honour Network Helpline, which answers more than 600 calls a month.

The Minister was shown around the call centre and met those who deal with calls every day – she discussed the types of calls and challenges received by the helpline.

Ms Bradley said:

“Karma Nirvana is providing vital support to victims of forced marriage and other forms of so called honour-based violence – and we will continue working with them to help victims find a way out of their situation and to ensure those at risk are protected.

“Forced marriage is a terrible form of abuse – and this government is clear that we will not allow political or cultural sensitivities to get in the way of tackling it.

“No one should suffer because of who they are, or what community they are born into.”

Karma Nirvana CEO Jasvinder Sanghera added:

“We are delighted that the Minister responsible for preventing abuse, exploitation and crime visited Karma Nirvana to learn more about our work.

“It is also good news that the Minister visited our charity based in the north of England, as there is great national work happening in the north.

“She was able to hear directly about our work with victims experiencing honour-based abuse and forced marriages and the national impact we make.”

The government has taken a range of action to tackle all forms of violence against women and girls – including strengthening the law in relation to the specific offences of female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage.

The joint Home Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office Forced Marriage Unit also runs a helpline, which provides support and advice to survivors as well as professionals, to combat abuse via forced marriage, FGM and honour-based crimes – both in the UK and overseas.

Duncan Lewis Domestic Violence Solicitors

Duncan Lewis domestic violence solicitors can advise victims of domestic abuse on their rights under the law and how to tackle domestic violence.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and in most major cities.

Duncan Lewis advises on domestic violence under UK law and Islamic law and is a leading provider of Legal Aid services.

Our domestic violence team can advise on spouse and partner abuse, same sex abuse, elder abuse, child-parent abuse, FGM, forced marriage, financial abuse, psychological abuse and abuse between friends or flatmates.

For expert legal advice on domestic abuse, call the Duncan Lewis Domestic Violence Solicitors’ Helpline in confidence on 0333 772 0409.