Honor Violence and the Semantics of Othering: Perspectives of Law Enforcement and Service Providers in Turkey and England

• In Event: Comparative Perspectives on High-Profile Issues: Homicide, Terrorism, and Trafficking

Abstract

Honor violence is an example of a socially constructed problem that is claimed to be present in some cultures but not others, and discussed in terms of culture, sexuality, and religion There is no universally accepted definition of honor violence, however. Scholars caution that defining honor violence is not a straightforward process, and the term is often used to signify the “exoticisation” of the crime. The othering of specific groups often occurs as a result of this definitional “exoticisation”, which can lead to discriminatory institutional responses. In this study, interviews with 74 key stakeholders were conducted to provide a cross-country comparison of institutional responses to honor violence in Turkey and England. In this portion of the study, stakeholder perceptions of the term “honor violence” was examined. Although stakeholders in both countries tended to dislike the use of the term “honor violence”, the conversations concerning the term differed by both country and profession. The implications of definitions and use of the term honor violence will be discussed in terms of best practices and frameworks for policymakers and law enforcement to address violence against women in both domestic and international settings.

Author

• Alana M. Henninger, ICF International / CUNY Graduate Center