Tag: afrah qassim

Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Nicole Jacobs, speaking during the Women's Equality Committee discussion on 'honour'-based abuse

Women’s Equality Committee discusses ‘honour’-based abuse

Last week, the Women’s Equality Committee opened a discussion relating to ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA). 

During the event, which took place on Wednesday, 11th January, evidence was heard from Detective Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police and National Police Chief’s Council Lead for HBA, Ivan Balhatchet, Crown Prosecution Service National Lead for HBA, Jaswant Narwal, Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Nicole Jacobs, Ministry of Justice Minister for State for Victims and Sentencing, Edward Argar MP and Home Office Minister for Safeguarding, Sarah Dines MP.  

Topics raised during the discussion included gaps in HBA training among professionals, barriers facing those at risk when accessing support, challenges in prosecuting cases and in safeguarding and advocacy work. 

Prior to the discussion, Savera UK submitted evidence to the committee detailing specific difficulties those at risk face, and what actions are necessary in order to work towards a world without HBA and harmful practices. Savera UK emphasised the necessity for a commitment to regular, ongoing training of professionals, a universal definition of HBA referred to by all agencies, sole and dedicated focus to HBA in legislation and the effective implementation of any Governmental and Local Authority strategies supported by the necessary funding and resources. 

Savera UK also highlighted the need for one centralised database to collect information relating to HBA, including data on survivors, perpetrators and offences. This is integral to reaching and supporting those at risk, as only with a greater understanding of the true scale of the problem are we able to effectively target those at risk and deliver safeguarding and advocacy support. 

Many of these points were also raised by witnesses during the discussion. DCC Ivan Balhatchet emphasised there are currently gaps and inconsistencies relating to training, which is further exacerbated by cases of HBA being “extremely challenging and difficult to identify the risks upfront”. He stressed the need for a risk assessment tool, which would enable police to quickly identify the escalating risk of HBA in a situation. 

Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Nicole Jacobs, speaking during the Women's Equality Committee discussion on 'honour'-based abuse
Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Nicole Jacobs, speaking during the Women’s Equality Committee discussion on ‘honour’-based abuse. Image credit: Parliamentlive.tv

Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Nicole Jacobs, called for greater resource and funding for specialist third sector organisations tackling HBA. She said: “I really appreciate now more than ever, especially with the mapping evidence that shows how effective these services are particularly and how vulnerable they are in terms of funding.” She added: “We need to have a much more strategic approach to ‘by and for’ services in general.” 

Following the discussion, Afrah Qassim, Founder and CEO of Savera UK, said: “Savera UK thanks the Women’s Equality Committee for creating a space to focus on the incredibly important topic of ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA), and for inviting evidence from specialists in this field, including our own team. 

“While it’s important to have these discussions in a public forum, we hope it will be followed with action on the important points raised, particularly around the development of a definition of HBA, the creation of a centralised database and implementation of mandatory ongoing training for professionals. 

“HBA can only be eliminated through a multi-pronged approach which requires efforts from all levels, including policy change in Government. While third sector organisations, like Savera UK, continue to deliver effective safeguarding and advocacy and campaign for greater awareness, it’s only with the backing of policy-makers that effective change can take place. 

“In addition, we echo Nicole Jacobs’ call for greater funding and resources to be invested in frontline organisations. Savera UK is dedicated to safeguarding those at risk while tackling the causes of HBA by working within communities and lobbying for policy and legislature change, but we need the support and funding of Government and Local Authorities in order to do so.” 

You can watch the Women’s Equality Committee discussion on HBA in full here and read the responses to the call for evidence, including the one submitted by Savera UK, here.

Savera UK CEO shortlisted for Northern Power Women Awards 2023

Savera UK’s CEO and Founder, Afrah Qassim, has been shortlisted in the Northern Power Women Awards 2023.

'Person with Purpose' sponsored by Stella, Northern Power Women Awards 2023

Afrah has been shortlisted in the ‘Person with Purpose’ category, sponsored by Stella. ‘Person with Purpose’ celebrates those who are driven by their personal motivation to volunteer or support a social change, charity, not for profit or community.

Afrah founded Savera UK, then Savera Liverpool, in 2010, and worked voluntarily for the charity for 10 years, while also working a full-time role in the NHS while as well as being a member of the board for the Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, a charity delivering arts and community programmes while bringing diverse cultures together, for which she later became the Chair.

Since its inception, Savera UK has grown to deliver safeguarding and advocacy for those at risk of ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) and harmful practices, like forced marriage, female genital mutilation and virginity testing. Savera UK also campaigns against these practices through awareness-raising and education, tackling the causes of harmful practices.

Afrah said: “I am incredibly grateful to have been shortlisted in the Person with Purpose category alongside so many inspiring change makers. Thank you to the people who put me forward for this award and our supporters and funders, without whom we wouldn’t be where we are today. I would also like to thank the Savera UK Board, Advisory Board and Youth Advisory Board for their support and commitment.

“This work would not be possible without the commitment of the Savera UK team, who share my vision for a world without ‘honour’-based abuse and harmful practices. Thank you for your hard work and dedication.”

The 89 finalists in the seventh Northern Power Women Awards were selected from 1,500 nominations from across all sectors and regions across the Northern Powerhouse.

The Northern Power Women Future List and Power List will be announced on 7 February 2023 and the awards will take place on Monday 20th March 2023, at Manchester Central Convention Complex.

Student Spotlight

Student spotlight: Anushka, Social and Political Science Student

For two weeks in December 2022 Savera UK’s Communications and Campaigns Team was joined by Social and Political Science Student Anushka Swannell.

Anushka is a passionate activist dedicated to working towards the prevention of sexual violence. She is particularly interested in how policy can facilitate this work.

Anushka applied to take part in a student placement with Savera UK in order to learn more about ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) and how a grassroots organisation makes an impact nationally. You can learn more about Anushka’s experience in the below interview.

Thank you for your hard work and dedication Anushka!

How did you first hear about Savera UK?

In April 2021, Afrah [Qassim, Savera UK CEO and Founder] kindly spoke as a panel member at the University of York Labour (UYLC) Conference event on ‘Intersectionality Matters: Women’s Panel on the Impact of Covid-19’. At the time I was the Gender Liberation officer at UYLC and was utterly inspired by Savera UK’s work and its commitment to helping survivors whilst being dedicated to tackling ‘honour’-based abuse nationally. Since this event, I was truly inspired and have never forgotten about Savera UK. It has been awe-inspiring to be able to help the team over the last two weeks.

What has your day-to-day role been like?

Savera UK has been extremely accommodating to me and has given me so many exciting tasks to help its campaigns and outreach. Throughout the student placement, I have been involved in researching contacts to help propel the outreach of the media guidelines campaign. Additionally, I have helped with social media including posts about Human Rights Day post and the 5k To End HBA campaign. The campaign, engagement and communications team have also been kind enough to let me sit in meetings regarding branding and communications within Savera UK.

Of all your tasks, which has been your favourite?

My favourite task has been researching policy and legislation – with Savera UK’s brand, values and objectives in mind – and sharing my recommendations with the team.

What were some of the more challenging aspects of the role?

The client drop-in was an amazing experience and was incredibly eye-opening, however, I do think the most challenging aspect is knowing that Savera UK’s clients’ have struggled with HBA and/or harmful practices. That said, meeting clients was extraordinary and really highlighted the motivations behind wanting to have a student placement at Savera UK.

What has been aspect of the role that has surprised you the most?

What has truly surprised me the most, is that the Savera UK team have given me tasks and projects to do during the placement which will contribute to their campaigns, work and progress. I am so grateful for this opportunity to actually do some tangible work that will be used as this is not mirrored a lot of time in other placements/ work experience. Additionally, the placement has left me feeling empowered, inspired and ready to help survivors through the public sector. This has genuinely taken me by surprise and is invaluable to me.

Did your placement at Savera UK live up to the expectations you had before starting?

Honestly, I did not have any expectations of what the placement would be like at Savera UK. Nevertheless, the placement has given me so much excitement, skills and work experience in a charity. The placement has gone above and beyond, I am really grateful to the entire team.

What will be your main takeaway following your placement with us?

The major takeaway I will take from the student placement is that there are truly wonderful people in this world making a difference in survivors’ lives and it is not all bleak. The Savera UK team have truly inspired me to get stuck in, in policy to further help survivors. Additionally, it has taught me that my goals and ambitions are not too far away from being destinations. The placement has taught me that real change is happening and is happening now and I am hoping to be part of that change.

What do you think is the biggest challenge for charities supporting those at risk of harmful practices?

I think the biggest challenge cannot be put down to one, so I think it is three-fold. Firstly, it is the incoherence of HBA and harmful practices within government, legislation, local government, social workers, social care, police, emergency services and education/ training. Secondly, it is the damaging stereotypes around HBA and harmful practices that are stunting progress. Lastly, I think it is the lack of awareness and education around HBA and harmful practices. Although these are huge challenges, these are challenges that can be overcome and I know that Savera UK is determined to defeat these challenges.

How can this be overcome?

I think the ways this can be overcome are below:

  1.  Legitimate policy and legislation that sets out a coherent definition of HBA and harmful practices
  2. This definition will be embedded into professional practice and training for emergency services and social and support workers/services as well as medical professionals. This training should be mandatory
  3. Education for secondary and primary school children, which Savera UK has begun with the creation of an education pack for secondary school students. This could be standardised and compulsory within RSE.
  4. Education statutory guidance needs to be stricter on the implementation of this policy and training goes hand in hand with this.
  5. Campaigns, raising awareness, education, and community work will help to alleviate the harmful stereotypes

I am aware that a lot needs to be done but I think this is achievable. I think Savera UK has the resilience, fire and expertise to deliver these outcomes and I would love to be a part of that as much as possible. I cannot wait to see what Savera UK achieves in 2023.

What are your plans for the future?

The Savera UK student placement has motivated me to delay doing a masters degree and go straight into NGO and charity work post graduating with my undergraduate degree. On the way home from the placement, I will be drafting my applications for the Houses of Parliament graduate scheme and the Charity Works graduate scheme.

My ambition is to work in policy to prevent sexual violence through compulsory consent education and training as well as emergency services training on definitions around consent and coercion.

One day I would love to come back to Savera UK and help as much as I can to end ‘honour’-based abuse. I hope to apply for Savera UK’s Youth Advisory Board to start this journey with Savera UK.

What did you enjoy the most about your time at Savera UK?

I enjoyed meeting Savera UK’s team the most and also helping the team with possible policy opportunities as this aligns with my ambitions and passions the most.

Genuinely would like to thank the entire team for welcoming me to well into the team and could not be more grateful for the experience.

Thank you for your incredibly kind words Anushka, it has been wonderful having you as part of the team and we wish you all the best in your future!

Savera UK Founder and CEO, Afrah Qassim

Savera UK CEO reflects on 2022 and remembers those lost to ‘honour’-based abuse

As we come to the final weeks of 2022, I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on what Savera UK has achieved in the past year. It feels as though it was only last week when we celebrated the start of 2022, while at the same time it’s been a long year with plenty of progress made. I’m so proud of the work we have achieved, despite facing challenges along the way as I’m sure is a similar story for many of you. I first want to congratulate and thank the Savera UK team for their endless commitment and passion to Savera UK. I would also like to thank the Savera UK Board, Advisory Board and Youth Advisory Board for their amazing support and commitment. Our funders and supporters, who are key in helping us end ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) and harmful practices. Without your involvement and support, we would not have been able to accomplish so much in the last year – thank you.

This year Savera UK Youth conducted fantastic awareness-raising work including relaunching the #ENDFGM Exhibition in partnership with the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool as part of International Day for Zero Tolerance of Female Genital Mutilation and releasing their educational film ‘Orange Brick Road’ as part of UK Parliament Week. Alongside the video, Savera UK Youth created an education pack including activities to help teachers and those working with young people guide discussions on harmful practices.

Savera UK one-to-one direct intervention team has provided advocacy and support to many of our clients and also delivered empowerment activities including self-confidence building, dance and self-defence classes. It has also provided wellbeing support through weekly drop-in sessions and provided emotional and financial support through the Smallwood Community Grant.

This year Savera UK’s work was also recognised in the Third Sector Awards, for which we were nominated in the ‘Small Charity, Big Achiever’ category. I am incredibly grateful to those who nominated me for the Merseyside Women of the Year Awards 2022, and I was overwhelmed to be awarded the Woman of Courage Award sponsored by Courage and Sparkle. Liverpool-based Savera UK Youth members were also recognised in the Steve Biko Awards, for their diligent work raising awareness of harmful practices during the pandemic.

Earlier this year I was invited to join The Queen Consort at a reception at Buckingham Palace to mark International Elimination of Violence Against Women Day. While there I was able to discuss the important work our team does to safeguard and advocate on behalf of people at risk of HBA and harmful practices. We also published our first research paper talking about HBA ‘A descriptive study of survivors, perpetrators and abuse characteristics’, which you can read here.

My personal highlight of the year was the launch of Savera UK’s ‘5k to End HBA’ fundraising campaign, which was launched with a march through Liverpool city centre to shine a light on HBA and stand in solidarity with survivors.

We are very proud had the opportunity to take part in the Pilotlight programme, which allowed us to focus on our strategic plan and future development. The partnership encouraged me and the Savera UK Board to challenge ourselves and to consider the organisation’s challenges. Thank you to all the Pilotlighters we worked with. We are delighted to end the year in announcing our new and exciting partnership with Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner.

Once again, thank you for all your continued support and believing in Savera UK and the work we do.

I ask for us all during the festive season, to reflect and think of all those whose have lost their loved ones, and those who are still living and at risk of HBA and struggling to ask for help.

Afrah Qassim,

CEO and Founder of Savera UK

Afrah Qassim, CEO and Founder of Savera UK and Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer

Cheshire PCC and Savera UK launch partnership

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer has joined forces with Savera UK to support its work in providing life-saving services for those at risk of ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) and culturally specific abuse in Cheshire.

Through funding provided by the Commissioner, the charity has been able to employ a HBA and Harmful Practices Specialist Worker to join Savera UK 1-1 service team to provide direct intervention to survivors and those at risk or under threat of ‘honour’-based abuse and harmful practices.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer, said: “I am delighted to be working with Savera UK, the direct intervention, safeguarding and advocacy that they provide to communities across Cheshire is vital. ‘Honour’-based abuse is often under-reported and can

Afrah Qassim, CEO and Founder of Savera UK and Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer
Afrah Qassim, CEO and Founder of Savera UK and CEO of Cheshire PCC Office, Damon Taylor

be referred to as a ‘hidden-crime’ because of this. By having Savera UK’s provision in our county, it may just give people the confidence they need to come forward and report their experiences.

“Protecting vulnerable and at-risk people is a priority in my Police and Crime Plan, and those at risk of ‘honour’-based abuse can be some of the most vulnerable in our society. I am looking forward to working alongside Savera UK to ensure survivors get the safeguarding and support that they need in order to rebuild their lives.”

As well as the direct intervention, safeguarding and advocacy that Savera UK provides to  survivors we will also be providing them with emotional support, an empowerment programme and assistance in gaining economic independence.

Savera UK also aims to tackle the causes of ‘honour’-based abuse and harmful practices by speaking out to challenge harmful attitudes, contributing to research and delivering training to raise awareness among professionals and in the wider community.

CEO and Founder of Savera UK, Afrah Qassim, said: “Partnerships are vital in our mission to eradicate ‘honour’-based abuse and harmful practices and we are proud to be working with the Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner to tackle these issues in the county.

“Guiding and supporting people working on the frontline to better understand harmful practices, speak out against them, and provide appropriate help to survivors and those at risk enables us to reach more people who otherwise may not have found the confidence to seek help.

“Meeting the team to formally launch our partnership was a wonderful experience and its commitment to tackling these issues shone through. We look forward to working with Cheshire PCC in our united aims and making it clear that there is no excuse for abuse regardless of people’s beliefs.”

There are many signs of ‘honour’-based abuse and other harmful practices, indicators can include:

  • House arrest- being kept home with no choice of freedom or movement
  • Threats to kill- those who believe in HBA would like their loved one in the name of ‘honour’, so threats must be taken seriously
  • Being accompanied at all times by a family member- they may even speak on their behalf
  • Becoming withdrawn or displaying a change in behaviour
  • Family disputes
  • Presenting a fear of being taken abroad

John Dwyer added: “I want to take this opportunity to encourage anyone who is experiencing or witnessing ‘honour’-based abuse to speak out. Speaking out isn’t easy but it takes us step closer to eradicating harmful practices within our communities. Savera UK is there to help and support you, but I would like to remind the public that 999 should always be the first contact if there is an immediate risk.”

The Savera UK helpline is open weekdays 10am-4pm on 0800 107 0726, there are also online referral forms for individuals and professionals available in the “Get Help” section of the website.

Movema's Sankofa Bird leads Savera UK's 5k to End HBA march through Liverpool city centre

Savera UK marches through Liverpool against ‘honour’-based abuse

Movema's Sankofa Bird leads Savera UK's 5k to End HBA march through Liverpool city centre
Movema’s Sankofa Bird leads Savera UK’s 5k to End HBA march through Liverpool city centre. Credit: Gary Lambert

Last week, to mark the start of the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based abuse, Savera UK, Zonta Club London and supporters marched through Liverpool city centre in protest against ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) and harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage.

Ahead of the march there were speeches from Savera UK CEO and Founder, Afrah Qassim, Dianne Jeans from Zonta Club London and Merseyside PCC, Emily Spurrell, as well as the reading of Melika’s* story – a survivor supported by Savera UK.

After a moment of reflection, when the names of those lost to gender-based violence and ‘honour’-based abuse were read out, the march began, led by Movema’s stunning Sankofa Bird, performed by Angelina Able.

The Sankofa Bird is one of four birds from Movema’s ‘Taking Flight’ production, which have been inspired by their artists’ experiences of migration and informed by the refugee and asylum seeker communities with who they work.

‘Taking Flight’ explores birds’ and humans’ desire for freedom and flight, and the role of modern aeronautics to enable this, with the four symbolic birds to represent futuristic cyborgs, whose bodies are part aircraft, part bird, part human.

The concept of “Sankofa” is derived from King Adinkera of the Akan people of Ghana, West Africa. Visually and symbolically, “Sankofa” is expressed as a mythic bird that flies forward while looking backward with an egg (symbolising the future) in its mouth.

It teaches us that we must go back to our roots in order to move forward. That is, we should reach back and gather the best of what our past has to teach us, so that we can achieve our full potential as we move forward. Whatever we have lost, forgotten, forgone, or been stripped of, can be reclaimed, revived, preserved, and perpetuated.

Movema’s Sankofa Bird combines the symbolism of “Sankofa” and the design of passenger aircraft and was selected to support the message of the march – one of belonging, overcoming struggles and adversity and freedom.

Hundreds of people were engaged by the march and performance, before the group joined the vigil for Liverpool’s Lost Women, led by Liverpool Domestic Abuse Service, Amadudu and RASA Merseyside, in a show of solidarity and commitment to tackling gender-based violence in the city and around the world.

The march marked the start of the annual global Orange the World campaign and start of the UN’s 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence, which takes place between the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls on 25th November and Human Rights Day on 10th December.

Several civic buildings and landmarks also illuminated orange in solidarity with the campaign, including the Liverpool Town Hall, the Cunard Building, St George’s Hall, World Museum in Liverpool, Greystone Footbridge in Knowsley, the Mersey Gateway Bridge in Halton, Merseyside Police Headquarters and Wallasey Town Hall in Wirral.

Savera UK’s campaign will continue throughout November and December, with the charity inviting people to do a #5KForThe5000 and help raise awareness and funds to help it continue its work campaigning, educating, and advocating for and supporting survivors: https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/5KtoEndHBAFundraisingEvent

Savera UK and Zonta Club London’s “Orange the World” toolkit, which contains information, resources and ideas for speaking out against gender-based violence and abuse, can also be found here: https://www.saverauk.co.uk/orange-the-world-campaign/

*Melika is a pseudonym

Savera UK launches media guidelines for reporting on ‘honour’-based abuse and harmful practices

Savera UK has launched media guidelines for reporting on ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) and interviewing survivors.

The guidelines were created collaboratively by HBA survivors and frontline professionals and came following the charity’s Setting the Story Straight project, funded by Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales. The project examined how HBA and harmful practices, its survivors and affected communities were represented in the media.

A survey of HBA survivors revealed that 55 percent disagreed or strongly disagreed that they saw people like them, with shared experiences of HBA and harmful practices, represented in UK media.

Eighty-two percent of survivors felt that the UK media did not do a good job of representing survivors of HBA and harmful practices, with almost two-thirds saying that it also failed to provide a good representation of these issues or affected communities.

Despite this, more than half (55 percent) of the survivors surveyed said they would agree to be interviewed by a journalist as they felt it was important to raise awareness. Factors stopping the remaining 45 percent who said they would not be interviewed included lack of trust and security.

Of those who had previously been interviewed, 60 percent said they felt their interviewer didn’t have a good understanding of HBA and harmful practices or the impact that sharing their story would have on them, with 80 percent highlighting that no aftercare, such as a follow up phone call, or information on services that can provide support, was put in place for them after their interview.

Speaking during the project, Savera UK Survivor Ambassador, Khatra Paterson, said: “There needs to be balance in the person’s narrative. Many times I’ve discussed the harmful practices that have occurred in western societies and amongst Caucasians, but I find that this part of my story is always ignored.

“Also, the emotional trauma they may leave the survivor in so be sensitive in the questioning, don’t ask me if I can achieve an orgasm or liken FGM to male circumcision, or do I forgive my mother.”

A separate survey of professionals working to tackle HBA and support survivors revealed that 80 percent thought that coverage of HBA and harmful practices in the UK media failed to represent the scale of the problem, and a further 65 percent stated that coverage reinforced harmful stereotypes about culturally specific abuse and affected communities.

The project also highlighted concern in the professional community around traditional reporting techniques employed by journalists, such as door knocks, using interpreters and interviewing community members, with 69 percent stating that they put individuals at greater risk of abuse or violence as a consequence of speaking to media.

Afrah Qassim, Founder and CEO of Savera UK, said: “Our project revealed that a lack of understanding amongst media professionals about ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) and harmful practices has led to poor representation of the issues, HBA survivors and affected communities, which reinforce harmful stereotypes and even put individuals at risk.

“However, it also highlighted a desire from survivors, those at risk and those working to tackle HBA, to engage with media and tell their stories and improve awareness generally so these hidden practices can be eliminated for good.

“We know from our experience of working with the media that there is positive intent to amplify the issues and the voices of survivors. However, the complexity of HBA, which differs significantly from general forms of domestic violence and abuse, combined with pressures experienced by journalists in terms of deadlines and the ever-increasing pace of news generation, means there is sometimes a gap in the intention and eventual coverage.

“Our media guidelines are intended to help bridge that gap, allowing journalists to quickly and easily access resources to inform themselves on HBA and harmful practices like female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage, as well as advice on terminology and how to work with survivors without putting them at risk or re-traumatising them. We sincerely hope they will be a useful resource and that will allow media, survivors, and professionals to better communicate the issues of HBA.”

Rachel Cain, Public Affairs and National Programmes Officer for the Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales, added: “The media plays a powerful role in shaping public opinion which can help to reduce harmful practices like ‘honour’-based abuse and genital mutilation for good.

“As Savera UK have shown, there has been minimal or harmful reporting on these practices, but survivors want to have their voices heard. These guidelines are a really important resource that journalists can use to ensure that they are amplifying the voices of survivors in a responsible way and we’re proud to have supported Savera UK to develop them.”

The media guidelines will be an evolving resource and Savera UK welcomes any input from journalists as to what further resources would be useful when reporting on HBA and harmful practices.

The media guidelines can be accessed here: https://www.saverauk.co.uk/hba-harmful-practice-media-guidelines/

Savera UK and Zonta Club London to March Against ‘Honour’-Based Abuse and Gender-Based Violence

St George's Hall lit up orange for the last Orange the World campaign
St George’s Hall lit up orange for Orange the World

Today (Friday 25th November), Savera UK and Zonta Club London (part of Zonta International) will march through Liverpool city centre to raise awareness of ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) and other forms of gender-based violence.

The march marks the start of the annual global Orange the World campaign and start of the UN’s 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence, which takes place between the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls on 25th November and Human Rights Day on 10th December.

There will be speeches from Savera UK CEO and Founder, Afrah Qassim, Dianne Jeans from Zonta Club London, Merseyside PCC, Emily Spurrell and survivor stories from 4pm, after which the group will march through Liverpool city centre.

The march will be accompanied by Movema’s Sankofa Bird, representing belonging and freedom, and will end in Derby Square to join the “Liverpool’s Lost Women” vigil, led by Liverpool Domestic Abuse Service, RASA Merseyside and Amadudu.

Several civic buildings and landmarks will also illuminate orange in solidarity with the campaign, including Liverpool Town Hall, the Cunard Building, St George’s Hall, World Museum in Liverpool, Greystone Footbridge in Knowsley, the Mersey Gateway Bridge in Halton, Merseyside Police Headquarters and Wallasey Town Hall in Wirral.

The annual awareness day is even more poignant for the city region this year, as it is also the first anniversary of the deaths of two victims of male violence – Ava White and Malak ‘Katy’ Adabzadeh.

Savera UK CEO and Founder, Afrah Qassim, said: “Gender-based violence and abuse, including the specific issue of ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) and harmful practices that we as an organisation tackle, must be stopped.

“We will march through Liverpool in memory of the 5,000 people who die globally each year due to HBA and in protest against these practices, which amount to nothing more than abuse of human rights. We hope people will join us and support our mission to eradicate HBA and harmful practices for good.”

Speaking of the illumination of Greystone Footbridge in Knowsley, Cllr Shelley Powell, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, said: “Sadly, domestic abuse is an issue that affects people across the UK, and Knowsley is no exception. Not only does it have a major impact upon those directly affected, it also negatively affects families and the wider community.

“Earlier this year we launched our Domestic Abuse strategy which outlines how we support victims and children if they experience domestic abuse and sets out how partners will work together to stop the cycle of abuse.

“Supporting International Day of the Prevention of Violence Against Women is a key date in our calendar and illuminating the Greystone Footbridge is a sign of our support. We will continue to ensure our residents know that help really is just a phone call away – please seek help and don’t suffer in silence.”

Savera UK’s campaign will continue throughout November and December, with the charity inviting people to do a #5KForTheFiveThousand and help raise awareness and funds to help it continue its work campaigning, educating, and advocating for and supporting survivors. You can register to join the fundraising campaign here.

Savera UK and Zonta Club London’s “Orange the World” toolkit, which contains information, resources and ideas for speaking out against gender-based violence and abuse, can also be found here.

If you are at risk of ‘honour’-based abuse or other harmful practices, call Savera UK’s national helpline on 0800 107 0726 (operates Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm). 

Text reading 'statement'

Savera UK statement on police failings surrounding deaths of Raneem Oudeh and Khaola Saleem

On 27th August 2018, Raneem Oudeh and her mother, Khaola Saleem, were both stabbed to death outside Khaola’s home by Raneem’s second husband, Janbaz Tarin.

Raneem had tried to leave Tarin on more than one occasion, with police and social services being called to their house due to reports of violence. On the day of the murders, Raneem had called police four times. An inquest into the deaths of Raneem and Khaola found failings by West Midlands Police ‘materially contributed’ to the murders of the mother and daughter.

Speaking to Sky News following the inquest, Nour Norris, sister of Khaola and aunt of Raneem, said: “We do blame the police because the proof of the inquest has shown very clear that the system is failing miserably. The death of my sister and my niece could have been prevented.”

Tarin was jailed for life with a minimum of 32 years in 2018 for the murders.

Savera UK CEO and Founder, Afrah Qassim said: “Today, we stand with the family of Raneem Oudeh and Khaola Saleem and call for accountability for systemic failings in dealing with the abuse Raneem was subjected to by Tarin, which ultimately led to the death of her and her mother, who died trying to protect her daughter.

“We believe that a key factor in this horrific and heartbreaking case is a failure to recognise and respond appropriately to what we identify as a case of ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA).

“On their wedding day, Tarin told Raneem ‘We don’t have divorce in our culture. The day that you will be free from me is the day I will kill you’ – in HBA culture and religion is weaponised in this way to control an individual. It is used as an excuse for abuse, violence and – in this instance – murder.

“HBA cannot be addressed in the same way as domestic abuse. When a disclosure is made there might only be one chance to save that life, which is why we advocate for the One Chance Rule.

“As with cases like that of Banaz Mahmod, Raneem sought help, but was led down by failings in the system, including a lack of ability to identify HBA and understand the urgency required to respond to it. How many more times will these mistakes be made and how many more lives need to be lost?

“We call for urgent action to address the issue of HBA and harmful practices in the UK, with mandatory training and education for all voluntary and statutory services working with people who may be at risk and greater funding and support for specialist services can help create preventative strategies, deliver training and education for professionals and support survivors and those at risk.

“Raneem was a loved and ambitious young woman who was simply exercising her right to live her life freely and in safety. Khaola was a beloved family member, friend and protective mother. Both should still be with us today. We will remember them as we continue to fight to end HBA and harmful practices and make it clear that culture is no excuse for abuse, violence or murder.”

Following the inquest West Midlands Police apologised to the family and said more should have been done by the force to join-up the incidents of abuse that were being reported. They say a number of key changes have already been made following the murders in 2018, including “increasing the number of staff specifically investigating domestic abuse offences”. You can read the statement in full here.