Day of Memory 2016 #WeRemember

Thursday, 14 July 2016 10:28

Karma Nivarna, a UK charity that supports victims and survivors of Forced Marriage and Honour Based Abuse is hosting its second annual Day of Remembrance in Newcastle today.

The day is supported by Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird; Karma Nirvana founder Jasvinder Sanghera CBE; and patron DJ Bobby Friction.

As part of the day, officers from Northumbria Police's Safeguarding Team will be attending a conference being held at The Castlegate in partnership with Safe Newcastle.

It’s an occasion to honour the memories of those affected by forced marriages and honour killings.

The event will feature a panel discussion with British survivors of Forced Marriages and Honour Based Abuse whose real life experiences describe how the realities of these experiences led to them escaping for their lives. They will share personal testimonies of rape, family abuse, abduction, attempted suicides albeit born and living in Britain.

Forced marriage and so-called honour based violence are an abuse of human rights and will not be tolerated.

Northumbria Police is proud to be supporting this day, raising awareness of this type of abuse and highlighting the support that's available to victims.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird, said: "Forced marriage is no part of any religion, culture or tradition. It is wrong and it is a crime. Everyone is entitled to make their own choices, especially about with whom they spend their life as a partner. Every child of every household is entitled to make those decisions without suffering unbearable pressure, intimidation, abuse or violence. It's so important that we come together today to remember those who have died and in their memory to raise awareness that people can safely speak out, because help is on hand and nobody needs to suffer in silence."

DCI Deborah Alderson from Northumbria Police's Safeguarding Department said: “Northumbria Police recognises the danger, risks and personal conflict associated with forced marriage and honour-based violence and we are committed to dealing effectively with any report of forced marriage whether it be from a victim directly or a third party. It’s so important that victims understand they will be listened to, their concerns will always be taken seriously and their views on what they want to happen will be followed."

The date 14 July is selected as it was the late Ms Shafilea Ahmed's birthday (she was born in Bradford on 14 July 1986). Shafilea was murdered by her mother and father in an honour killing in September 2003 and both her parents were later convicted. She would have been 30 this year.

Honour based abuse, which can affect both men and women, is a crime or incident that has or may have been committed in order to protect or defend the honour of a family or community. There are many perceived behaviours, attitudes or actions that are believed to constitute ‘dishonour’, including inappropriate make-up or clothing, smoking, running away from home, pregnancy outside of marriage, rejecting a forced or arranged marriage and interfaith relationships, to name a few.

Individuals, families and communities can take drastic steps to preserve or defend their honour, which can, at its worst, result in murder.

South Yorkshire is one of many other forces across the country remembering today as well, SYP Detective Inspector Karen Hockley said: “Once again we are proud to support the work of Karma Nirvana and play our part in raising awareness of this awful crime, which we know continues to be under-reported across the country."

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