Critically compare/contrast the circumstances and impact of honour-based killings and
domestic murders. Evidence your finding by reference to true cases.
“In France, duelling had an even stronger hold, but by the 19th century, duels there were
seldom fatal, since most involved swordplay, and drawing blood usually sufficed to give
honor its due, Duels, after all, were fought in defense of what the law would not defend—a
gentleman’s sense of personal honor (Smithsonian, 2014).
Honour based violence and practicing for its customs has been happening during historical
periods and shows that it is not limited to certain communities. Not only but, history
expresses us that fighting for honour was a substantial tradition. Although honour based
related abuse has been on-going for years, the term honour based violence and abuse has
only been talked about in the more recent years.
Honour based violence is the act of harming a female who does not comply to honour codes
and ethics set by ruling male family members. This can be murder down to sexual abuse,
forced marriage and even female genital mutilation. Putting ‘shame’ or ‘dishonouring; your
family can stem in various wats; from the way you speak, to what you wear, to who you are
friends with and who you end up being intimate with or begin a relationship and/or
marriage with.
“Honour-based violence has happened and continues to occur here in Britain. More than
11,000 incidences of honour crime were recorded by UK police forces during 2010-2014,
ranging from forced marriage to female genital mutilation (FGM) while there were 18
recorded cases of honour killings in the UK over the same period”
While honour crimes are seen to be a traditional perception and has out-dated accounts,
these delicate crimes still go on in Britain today. Countless cases include of Shafelia Ahmed,
Celine Dookhran, Tulay Goren, Banaz Mahmod, Samaira Nazir and Samia Shahid.
“1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men in their lifetime” (W-Fowler, 2012)
Domestic violence is causing mental or physical abuse relating to domestics, which
include a spouse, partner or a relationship in such domesticated settings. ‘Domestic
abuse can range from psychological and emotional abuse, physical or sexual abuse,
harassment and stalking online and also financial abuse’(Womens Aid, 2015).
Man had believed they had owned women and had to be submissive towards men.
“Men were legally allowed to rape their wives until 1991, while violence against women
wasn’t officially recognised as a violation of their human rights until 1993” (Stylist,
2018). When women were allowed to vote, their voice was penetrated to many merits.
They were allowed to own property, become doctors, lawyers however they were still
facing abuse. It wasn’t until the matrimonial act of 1967 and the domestic violence act of
1976 was set in place for it to become taboo and unlawful.
“An Act to amend the law relating to matrimonial injunction; to provide the police with
powers of arrest for the breach of injunction in cases of domestic violence; to amend
section 1(2) of the Matrimonial Homes Act 1967; to make provision for varying rights of
, occupation where both spouses have the same rights in the matrimonial home; and for
purposes connected therewith” (Legislation.gov.uk, n.d.)
“The CSEW estimates that 8.2% of women and 4.0% of men reported experiencing any type
of domestic abuse in the last year (that is, partner / ex-partner abuse (non-sexual), family
abuse (non-sexual) and sexual assault or stalking carried out by a current or former partner
or other family member)” (Ons.gov.uk, 2016). Although domestic violence acts were put in
place, the problem is till occurring.
Honour based violence may be seen to be in the same framework and rationality as
domestic violence as there is common overlapping between both topics of honour based
killings and domestic violence, however with more in depth understanding we can
differentiate the characteristics of the two. I will be discussing how they are similar as well
as different.
Consequences and Impact:
The main differences and dichotomy between the two closely linked topics are the
circumstances of why the abuse occurs, and also the impact; which to how society and
media represents the two. The racial and cultural ramification and sensitivity that is focused
with honour violence and killings does not specifically involve domestic violence as there is
no ‘honour’ or shame involved within the circumstance. HBV majorly transpires within
ethnic minorities but is not always predominant within the immigrant population.
Honour killings can sometimes be categorised under violence against women and also
domestic violence, the cataloguing of the ordeal can be looked over hastily without clear
depth and knowledge to the detrimental and worldwide matter. “Honour” based violence is
a well-established term and field of knowledge and expertise among professionals across
the public and voluntary sectors and academics. To censor the term would put at risk the
significant progress that has been made, including by the recent inspection into policing of
“honour” based violence by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC)” (IKWRO,
2017)
The main notion of honour is held at such detriment. With such harsh ‘honour’ codes
instilled into young teenage muslim girls in regard to pureness and chastity. There is no
honour and nothing honourable about honour killings, the concept is ethnised women who
are caught up in discourse and diaspora of migrating of the West.
With domestic violence, the abuse can be from a lifetime and happen sporadically, resulting
to erratically one day being psychologically pushed to the limit, to pick up a knife and kill
their partner in that moment in time. In contrast, with HBV, honour runs deep. A former
HBV victim can be discovered years later and then killed, the death can be ongoing after the
first initial dishonouring act. “The man at the centre of a campaign to expose one of
Pakistan's most notorious “"honour killings" cases has been shot dead nearly seven years
after he brought it to national attention” (BBC News, 2019).
HBV is also premediated and seen as a collective crime as the killing is for an audience and
community rather than between two people. DV abusers do not want to involve family but
manipulate the situation to family and friends and put up a pretence.
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