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The Home Office has announced new legislation introducing a formal legal definition of ‘honour’-based abuse, in a move intended to strengthen protection for victims and improve the response of frontline professionals across England and Wales.
The change, confirmed by Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips, forms part of amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill and will allow statutory guidance to be issued to police, social workers and other public authorities dealing with suspected abuse. The government said the measure is designed to ensure greater consistency in safeguarding practice and to prevent key evidence being overlooked in criminal investigations.
Police recorded nearly 3,000 offences related to ‘honour’-based abuse in England and Wales in the year ending March 2025, although officials believe the true figure is likely to be significantly higher because many incidents go unreported due to the hidden nature of the abuse.
Under the proposed definition, ‘honour’-based abuse may include offences such as forced marriage, female genital mutilation and so-called ‘honour’ killings, which often occur within family or community settings and may involve multiple perpetrators. The government said the absence of a clear statutory definition has contributed to inconsistent recognition of such cases across agencies.
The amendment was introduced at Report stage in the House of Lords and, if enacted, will apply across England and Wales. Ministers said the reform will help establish clearer expectations for professionals with safeguarding responsibilities and support stronger collaboration between agencies.
The proposals have been backed by more than 60 charities, including Karma Nirvana, which has campaigned for legislative change following several high-profile cases involving ‘honour’-based abuse.
The charity previously highlighted the 2021 murder of Fawziyah Javed, who was pushed from Arthur’s Seat while pregnant. The case, which involved prior domestic abuse, was cited by campaigners as demonstrating the need for better recognition of the role that perceived ‘dishonour’ can play in escalating violence.
In a statement, Phillips said the new definition would help ensure victims are better protected and perpetrators more effectively prosecuted, adding that the government intends to bring offences linked to ‘honour’-based abuse “out of the shadows”.
Karma Nirvana said the introduction of a statutory definition should assist police, prosecutors and safeguarding professionals in identifying abuse earlier and responding more effectively, but indicated it will monitor the progress of the legislation as it moves through Parliament.
Alongside the legislative changes, the Home Office confirmed it is exploring a national prevalence study into forced marriage and female genital mutilation, and plans further community engagement work aimed at encouraging victims to come forward.
The reforms form part of wider measures linked to the government’s strategy on violence against women and girls, which includes a target to halve such offences within the next decade and to restore confidence in the criminal justice system.
