Shahina’s story – an account of Honour Based Abuse

Today is the national Day of Memory for Honour Based Killings and TVP is marking the event by sharing Shahina Swain’s story, a victim of Honour Based Abuse (HBA).

During a holiday to Bangladesh when she was 17-years-old, Shahina was handed an invite to her own wedding by her mother and locked in a room to prevent her leaving. She had not met the man she was being forced to marry. Thankfully a friend helped Shahina to escape however she continued to be subjected to abuse when she returned to the UK.

HBA is a crime. It is an act that is committed to control behaviour within families or the community to protect cultural and religious beliefs. Victims are subjected to abuse in the name of honour including; forced marriage, physical and emotional abuse.

By sharing Shahina’s story we hope that we can raise awareness of this crime and encourage more victims to come forward and report incidents to the police.

If you or someone you know is at risk of HBA please call us on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

You will be listened to and your information will be treated confidentially. Your safety is our top priority.

Today’s national memorial day remembers victims of honour based killings and was started by campaigner Karma Nirvana and Cosmopolitan in memory of Shafilea Ahmed who was murdered by her parents in 2003. Today marks what would have been Shafilea’s 30th birthday.

For more information about HBA and Forced Marriage including the support available please visit the Thames Valley Police website. #WeRemember

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