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22/10/2008
'Honour' Crime Victims Need More Support: ACPO
British police forces need to review their witness protection schemes to help victims of "honour" crimes, new guidelines have urged.
A new Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) document has been published, with aims to help forces identify potential victims and ensure all steps are taken to protect them.
Forces should review witness protection schemes so victims of honour crimes could be offered new identities and relocation, even if they do not give evidence in court.
The report which aims to tackle the dangers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, also said essential religious and community leaders should be encouraged to speak out against the crimes.
Honour killings have been described as attacking or murdering a family or clan member, most often females, to protect what they consider to be the family, clan or community's honour.
According to the ACPO, 12 people are murdered every year in honour-related violence. However campaigners estimate the numbers are much higher.
Police also fear a further 500 people are forced into an arranged marriage and are raped, attacked or falsely imprisoned as a result.
Commander Steve Allen of the Metropolitan Police said: "The police response to this issue has nothing to do with political correctness and nothing to do with inappropriate sensitivities.
"The police response is about saving life, protecting those at risk of harm and bringing perpetrators to account. We have an absolute duty to uphold the law and to protect the human rights of our fellow human beings."
The recommendations come just weeks before the Forced Marriage (civil protection) Act 2007 strengthens the law on forced marriage and other forms of honour-based violence.
The special sanctions, ordered by a judge, will allow police to intervene to prevent someone forcing a man or woman into a marriage they do not want. Under the sanctions, police could seize passports or take other steps, and third parties will also be able to mediate where the victim is too scared to contact the authorities.
(JM)
A new Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) document has been published, with aims to help forces identify potential victims and ensure all steps are taken to protect them.
Forces should review witness protection schemes so victims of honour crimes could be offered new identities and relocation, even if they do not give evidence in court.
The report which aims to tackle the dangers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, also said essential religious and community leaders should be encouraged to speak out against the crimes.
Honour killings have been described as attacking or murdering a family or clan member, most often females, to protect what they consider to be the family, clan or community's honour.
According to the ACPO, 12 people are murdered every year in honour-related violence. However campaigners estimate the numbers are much higher.
Police also fear a further 500 people are forced into an arranged marriage and are raped, attacked or falsely imprisoned as a result.
Commander Steve Allen of the Metropolitan Police said: "The police response to this issue has nothing to do with political correctness and nothing to do with inappropriate sensitivities.
"The police response is about saving life, protecting those at risk of harm and bringing perpetrators to account. We have an absolute duty to uphold the law and to protect the human rights of our fellow human beings."
The recommendations come just weeks before the Forced Marriage (civil protection) Act 2007 strengthens the law on forced marriage and other forms of honour-based violence.
The special sanctions, ordered by a judge, will allow police to intervene to prevent someone forcing a man or woman into a marriage they do not want. Under the sanctions, police could seize passports or take other steps, and third parties will also be able to mediate where the victim is too scared to contact the authorities.
(JM)
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