Report on Exploratory Study Into Honor Violence Measurement Methods—Appendixes
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The author(s) shown below used Federal funds provided by the U.S. Department of Justice and prepared the following final report: Document Title: Report on Exploratory Study into Honor Violence Measurement Methods—Appendixes Author(s): Cynthia Helba, Ph.D., Matthew Bernstein, Mariel Leonard, Erin Bauer Document No.: 248880 Date Received: May 2015 Award Number: N/A This report has not been published by the U.S. Department of Justice. To provide better customer service, NCJRS has made this federally funded grant report available electronically. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Report on Exploratory Study into Honor Violence Measurement Methods—Appendixes Authors Cynthia Helba, Ph.D. Matthew Bernstein Mariel Leonard Erin Bauer November 26, 2014 U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics Prepared by: 810 Seventh Street, NW Westat Washington, DC 20531 An Employee-Owned Research Corporation® 1600 Research Boulevard Rockville, Maryland 20850-3129 (301) 251-1500 Table of Contents Appendixes Page A Honor Violence Annotated Bibliography ....................................................... A-1 B Relevant Victimization Surveys and Other Data-Collection Mechanisms ......................................................................................................... B-1 C Compilation of Relevant Online and Legal Sources ..................................... C-1 D Websites and Other Media Focusing on Honor Violence ........................... D-1 Draft Honor Violence Study Report iii This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Appendix A Honor Violence Annotated Bibliography Honor Violence: General Discussions 1. Brandon, James, and Salam Hafaz. Crimes of the Community: Honour-based Violence in the UK (London, England: Centre for Social Cohesion, 2010). Summary: This report focuses on four aspects of honor violence: forced marriage, domestic violence, honor killing, and female genital mutilation. The report argues that honor killings, domestic violence, forced marriage, and female genital mutilation are not isolated practices, but are instead part of a self-sustaining social system built on the ideas of honor and cultural, ethnic, and religious superiority. The report also discusses barriers to change, the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) approach to honor violence, and recommendations for continued action against honor violence. Definition: Honor is “based on the idea the reputation and social standing of an individual, family, or community is based on the behavior and morality of its female members.” The report states that issues surrounding honor in the UK are primarily issues among immigrants and descendants from the Middle East and South Asia. Within these communities, advantages of having honor include: pride, better prospects for offspring, increased social status, stability in a changing environment (for immigrants), and a sense of superiority. Common ways in which honor can be damaged include: defying parental authority, becoming “Western,” women having premarital sexual relations, the use of drugs or alcohol, and gossip. Consequences to the family loss of honor include: ostracism by one’s family and community, economic damage (e.g., smaller dowries), political consequences (leaders can lose votes), and loss of self-esteem. Dimensions of honor violence include the following: Forced Marriage — British police define forced marriage as “a marriage conducted without valid consent of one or both parties, where duress is a factor,” and is different from an arranged marriage. The British Forced Marriage Unit handles approximately 300 cases a year (the number of actual forced marriages is likely much higher). The motives for forced marriage are frequently linked to upholding honor-based traditions, and they include: maintaining a family’s honor within their community; strengthening family ties; preserving family wealth; controlling female behavior; preventing or limiting Western influence; maintaining the family’s race and culture; and assisting relatives in immigrating to the UK. Abuses related to forced marriage include: physical violence; Draft Honor Violence Study Report A-1 This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Appendix A Honor Violence Annotated Bibliography emotional and psychological abuse; isolation, imprisonment, or withdrawal from society; and kidnapping. Honor-based Domestic Violence — Honor-based domestic violence differs significantly from traditional forms of domestic violence, namely because it can be carried out by a person’s children, siblings, in-laws, and extended family. The abuse often aims to protect the family’s reputation and honor from gossip and slander. Sources of this gossip can include youth defying parental authority, youth acting in a “Western” manner, in-laws seeking control of women who marry into their families, youth abusing alcohol and drugs, and household economic stress. The abuse can be physical or emotional. Honor Killings — The British police and Crown Prosecution Service estimate that 10 to 12 women are killed in honor-based violence every year in the UK. However, the true number is unknown because only honor killings by those of immigrant descent are usually recognized and total honor-related deaths are not calculated (e.g., deaths would include women who commit suicide after abuse and women who eventually die from their injuries). Most victims of honor killings reported in the UK are Muslim women from South Asia under the age of 30, and the majority of these killings are carried out by either their husbands or close family members. Most of these attacks are pre- planned, which helps distinguish honor killings from “crimes of passion.” A limited number of South Asian victims of honor killings in the UK are men. They are typically killed by the family of a South Asian woman for having a relationship with her and damaging her family’s honor. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) — FGM “refers to the partial or complete removal or modification of the female genitalia for cultural or religious reasons.” Its aims are to control female sexuality and reduce a woman’s sex drive, thus increasing the likelihood that she will remain a virgin until marriage. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 2 million female children in Africa undergo some form of FGM every year. It is estimated that around 65,000 women in the UK have undergone FGM, but this number is likely to be greater. FGM is found in many religions and regions in the world, but is most prevalent in Africa and among Muslims (it is rare in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India). This report indicates that support for FGM is declining in the UK. Honor-based systems are changing the slowest in families and communities that have the least amount of contact with other ethnic and cultural groups, which serves as a way of both preserving tradition and repelling outside influence. There are signs that, in some cases, the strict ideas of honor brought to the UK by immigrants are starting to erode. It appears that immigrant communities in larger cities are more receptive to change. Many non-governmental organizations have begun working with children to form ideas that do not support honor violence, helping women becoming more independent, and helping men understand gender equality. Government organizations have begun helping women in forced marriage situations, and legislation has been passed that criminalizes Draft Honor Violence Study Report A-2 This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Appendix A Honor Violence Annotated Bibliography both forced marriage and female genital mutilation. The report closes with a number of recommendations for governmental activity. 2. Janssen, Janine. Your Honour or Your Life?, 2nd ed. (trans.) (Amsterdam: Stapel & De Koning, 2009). Summary: This book serves as introductory material for Dutch police officers who may potentially come in contact with honor violence. It also incorporates the results of independent research from a 2-year pilot program conducted in the Netherlands to give police officers greater insight into honor violence. This book argues that police officers need to become familiar with honor violence as the ethnic and cultural makeup of their population changes. The book describes different types of honor violence and the possible relationships between individuals involved in honor violence and how honor can be damaged and restored in cultures where honor is critical. Definition: The term “honor-based violence” is used as a collective term to cover all aspects of honor violence. The author defines honor-based violence as “… any form of mental or physical violence that is committed on the basis of a collective mentality and