Dishonour Abuse is Freedom Charity’s preferred term for abuse committed in the name of so-called ‘honour’. Official UK agencies commonly use the term ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA), and international sources may also use honour-based violence or the US spelling honor-based abuse. Freedom uses these established terms where needed so people can find accurate information and support, while making clear that there is no honour in abuse.
Dishonour Abuse
Dishonour Abuse, often described in policy as “honour-based abuse”, is abuse carried out by family members or extended networks to control, punish or silence a person for allegedly bringing “shame” upon a family or community. It centres coercion and control, not honour.
It can overlap with forced marriage, FGM, virginity testing and hymenoplasty, coercive control and other forms of abuse. If you are worried about someone, see Freedom Charity’s helpline.
Dishonour Abuse may target individuals who:
Exercise their right to choose a partner freely, regardless of culture, religion or ethnicity
Exercise their legal right to refuse or leave a forced marriage
Exercise their right to choose how they dress and live
Please support Freedom by purchasing our books or a red triangle badge. All profits go towards helping support our cause.
Dishonour Abuse, UK Law and Safeguarding
Dishonour Abuse is Freedom Charity’s preferred term for abuse committed in the name of so-called ‘honour’. Government, police and prosecutors commonly use ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA), so Freedom also uses that term where accuracy and searchability require it.
The Crime and Policing Act 2026 contains a statutory definition of ‘honour’-based abuse for the purposes of the statutory-guidance framework in England and Wales and provides for multi-agency guidance. It does not create a standalone HBA criminal offence: abusive conduct continues to be dealt with under the specific criminal law that applies to the facts.
HBA can involve coercive or controlling behaviour, threats, assault, sexual abuse, economic abuse, forced marriage, FGM, abduction, false imprisonment and, in the most serious cases, homicide. Multiple perpetrators or wider family and community networks may be involved.
For safeguarding, professionals should consider the possibility of collective risk, avoid unsafe family mediation or disclosure to relatives, follow local procedures and use current statutory and specialist guidance. See Freedom Charity’s forced marriage, FGM and virginity testing and hymenoplasty pages.
Reviewed 13 September 2026 against the Crime and Policing Act 2026 and current CPS material.
What your donation can provide
£10
can contribute to Freedom Charity’s safeguarding education, prevention and specialist resources
£30
can help fund safeguarding resources, education and routes to specialist support
£150
can make a substantial contribution to Freedom Charity’s safeguarding, education and practical support work
£500
can support a larger package of safeguarding education, prevention, awareness and practical assistance