‘So-Called Honour-Based Violence and Abuse’ and the wider areas of Hate Crime

• In Event: Roundtable: Hate Crimes & Discrimination

Abstract

This academic research explores the complex interplay between ‘so-called honour-based violence and abuse’ (SCHBVA) and broader societal discussions surrounding hate crime, with the aim of contributing to both academic discourse and practical policy development. The study will investigate the multifaceted nature of SCHBVA by adopting a gender-inclusive approach that examines the experiences of both male and female victims. In doing so, it challenges conventional gendered assumptions and emphasizes the need for more equitable and inclusive frameworks for prevention, support, and justice.
A key focus of the research is on the intersectionality of violence and discrimination, acknowledging how these issues manifest across diverse social and cultural contexts. The project aims to generate evidence-based recommendations to inform legal reforms, shape public policy, and support advocacy efforts. By engaging with current debates on gender, power, and inequality, the research will contribute to a more nuanced understanding of these persistent societal problems.
The use of the term ‘so-called honour-based violence and abuse’ underscores a critical ethical stance: that violence perpetrated under the guise of ‘honour’ is a misappropriation of the term. This terminology reflects a commitment to deconstruct harmful narratives and promote justice by naming violence for what it truly is coercive, abusive, and unjustifiable.

Author

• Narissa Sheena MacLennan-Matthews, University of Plymouth