Insights from Honour-Based Violence Cases in Québec Canada

• In Event: Homicide and Suicide Victimization

Abstract

Base on in-depth interviews with social and judicial practitioners and victims, we explore the ins and outs of cases suspected to be honour-based violence. In particular we examine: how they come to the knowledge of the authorities; why they were suspected of being honour-based violence; how they are described and defined by the victims; and finally how they have been dealt with. When does one conclude that violence is honour-based? Following a very sad story of honour-based violence, the Shafia’s story, in which three young girls and their ‘aunt’ were killed by their father and brother and with the complicity of the mother, screening tools were developed. These tools will be briefly discussed.

Authors

• Estibaliz Jimenez, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières

• Marie-Marthe Cousineau, University of Montreal