This programme drew together an international multi-disciplinary team of practitioners and experts in law, psychology, social work and social policy, government, and the women’s sector, along with the women who have experienced abuse, to consider Honour-Based Abuse in Scotland. 

Considering the protection provided to victims of gender-based abuse through the law and policing, the project aimed to illuminate and evaluate the effect this has on women who are impacted by the intersecting factors of gender, ethnicity, family networks, linguistic, financial, educational, immigration and other barriers in the face of Honour-Based Abuse. 

The Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 introduced a law to criminalise a course of conduct considered “abusive” whereby an individual who abuses their partner or ex-partner may be guilty of an offence. This legislation represents a concerted effort to recognise the complexity of domestic abuse, but there remains a legislative gap regarding protection for victims suffering abuse rooted in ‘honour’.

The project focused on evaluating the current law and policy on domestic abuse in Scotland; the way this influences policing, social work, agency, education and community responses; and whether explicit legislation is required to protect women experiencing Honour-Based Abuse.