Cultural Awareness Lesson 17 NCFE Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Skills

Learning Objectives Honour-Based Violence Forced Marriage Female Genital Mutilation The law and HBV, FM and FGM

Honour-Based Violence Honour-based violence (HBV) is the term used to refer to a collection of practices used predominantly to control the behaviour of women and girls within families or other social groups in order to protect supposed cultural and religious beliefs, values and social norms in the name of ‘honour’. It is often linked to family members or acquaintances who mistakenly believe someone has brought shame to their family or community by doing something that is not in keeping with the traditional beliefs of their culture. http://safe.met.police.uk/crimes_of_honour/get_the_facts.html

Types of HBV The term ‘honour based crime’ covers any criminal offence that is driven by a mistaken desire to protect the cultural or traditional beliefs of a family or community. It may or may not involve violence. It can include: Personal attacks of any kind, including physical and sexual violence Forced marriage Forced repatriation (sending someone back to a country from which they originate without their consent) Written or verbal threats or insults Treatening or abusive phone calls, emails and instant messages Forced Marriage will soon be made a criminal offence http://safe.met.police.uk/crimes_of_honour/consequences_and_the_law.html

What could trigger HBV?

Common triggers for HBV include: Refusing an arranged marriage Having a relationship outside the approved group Loss of virginity Pregnancy Spending time without the supervision of a family member Reporting domestic violence Attempting to divorce Pushing for custody of children after divorce Refusing to divorce when ordered to do so by family members http://hbv-awareness.com/honour-based-violence/

Why do you think potential victims of HBV tend to not come forward? Entrenched nature of the practices in families and communities Vulnerability of the victim: May not be believed May not be understood May feel loyal to the family and community in which they live Fear the threat of violence Possibility of more or worse violence if they seek help https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmic/wp-content/uploads/the-depths-of-dishonour.pdf

Statistics There are about 12 ‘honour’-killings per year in the UK. About 2000 incidents are reported each year of HBV.

Case 1 You are a counsellor of a 36-year old woman, who is originated from Pakistan. She is filing for divorce from her husband. She mentions she has been sexually and physically abused by her husband. He is a devoted Muslim and feels she is dishonouring him by divorcing him. They have got two young children. She is worried that his family will ‘punish’ her, as they have made some threats. What do you do?

Forced Marriage

What is Forced Marriage? What are the effects?

Forced Marriage A forced marriage takes place when the bride, groom or both do not want to get married but are forced to by others, usually their families. People forced into marriage may be tricked into going abroad, physically threatened and/or emotionally blackmailed to do so. Every year, hundreds of young people in Britain, both male and female, are forced into marriage against their will, often by violence and blackmail from their own families and relatives. It is a violation of fundamental Human Rights Forced marriage is wrong and cannot be justified on any religious or cultural basis. In the UK, forced marriage amounts to a form of domestic violence and/or child abuse. It can affect women and men as well as girls and boys from any community and background. http://www.forcedmarriage.net/howlawcanhelp.html

Forced Marriage vs Arranged Marriage Unlike forced marriages, in an arranged marriage both the bride and groom choose whether or not they want to marry the person suggested to them by their families. In a forced marriage there is no freedom of choice. http://www.forcedmarriage.net/howlawcanhelp.html

Characteristics of FM Victims FM can be committed against men, women or children, although the majority of reported cases are committed against girls and women between the ages of 16 and 25. Victims of FM can include people with learning or physical disabilities. Young people (particularly girls) who are forced to marry are frequently withdrawn from education, restricting their educational and personal development. Victims may feel unable to go against their parents’ (or wider family’s) wishes, due to fear of violence and/or fear of being disowned by the family. This can often lead them to suffer emotionally, resulting in depression, self-harm or, in extreme cases, suicide. Victims may be taken abroad to be forced into marriage; they may be blackmailed or deceived by their own family for that purpose and left there for extended periods. They may be subjected to physical and emotional abuse to force them into the marriage in the UK or in other countries. Once forced into marriage, victims may be subjected to repeated serious sexual assaults and ongoing domestic abuse including from extended family members. https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmic/wp-content/uploads/the-depths-of-dishonour.pdf

How the law can help The British courts have the power to stop someone from forcing someone else to marry against their will. An Act of Parliament called the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 provides the courts with powers to make Forced Marriage Protection Orders to stop somebody from forcing another person into marriage. The law also allows the courts to protect victims who have already been forced into marriage, and help them get out of that situation. http://www.forcedmarriage.net/howlawcanhelp.html

Case 2 You are the counsellor for a ‘General Counselling’-organisation in Southend. A 17-year old girl Alysha has been referred to you by the school. School is worried for her, because the communications between her parents and her are difficult. In the first session she tells you that her parents are angry with her, because she goes out a lot and because she flirts with boys. Alysha is also dating a boy named Eric. Her parents do not agree with this, as he is from a very different culture, rather than from Iraq. Alysha is worried, because they often talk about ‘arranging a marriage’ for her, so that she can settle down. But she does not feel ready for this. How concerned are you? What do you do?

Female Genital Mutilation The term "female genital mutilation" (also called "female genital cutting" and "female genital mutilation/cutting") refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. Between 100 and 140 million girls and women in the world are estimated to have undergone such procedures, and 3 million girls are estimated to be at risk of undergoing the procedures every year. From: World Health Organization, Department of Reproductive Health and Research

A survivor talking about FGM https://www.theguardian.com/society/video/2017/mar/17/jaha-dukureh-promise-fgm- video?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=jahaspromise&utm_campaign=doc umentaries

4 different types of FGM Type I: Partial or total removal of the clitoris and/or the prepuce (clitoridectomy). Type II: Partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora (excision). Type III: Narrowing of the vaginal orifice with creation of a covering seal by cutting and appositioning the labia minora and/or the labia majora, with or without excision of the clitoris (infibulation). Type IV: All other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes, for example: pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterization. From: World Health Organization, Department of Reproductive Health and Research

Female Genital Mutilation

Risks No known health benefits Very painful and traumatic Several immediate and long-term health consequences (for instance: babies born to women who have undergone female genital mutilation suffer a higher rate of neonatal death compared with babies born to women who have not undergone the procedure) Mostly carried out on girls between 0 - 15 years old. However, occasionally, adult and married women are also subjected to the procedure. From: World Health Organization, Department of Reproductive Health and Research

Why do people perform FGM?

Reasons behind FGM: Often deeply entrenched in the social, economic and political structures. Where female genital mutilation is widely practised, it is supported by both men and women, usually without question, and anyone departing from the norm may face condemnation, harassment, and ostracism. Female genital mutilation is considered necessary to raise a girl properly and to prepare her for adulthood and marriage In some societies, the practice is embedded in coming-of-age rituals, sometimes for entry into women’s secret societies, which are considered necessary for girls to become adult and responsible members of the society There is often an expectation that men will marry only women who have undergone the practice. The desire for a proper marriage, which is often essential for economic and social security as well as for fulfilling local ideals of womanhood and femininity, may account for the persistence of the practice.

Reasons behind FGM - 2 Some of the other justifications offered for female genital mutilation are also linked to girls’ marriageability and are consistent with the characteristics considered necessary for a woman to become a "proper" wife. It is often believed that the practice ensures and preserves a girl’s or woman’s virginity In some communities, it is thought to restrain sexual desire, thereby ensuring marital fidelity and preventing sexual behaviour that is considered deviant and immoral Female genital mutilation is also considered to make girls "clean" and beautiful. A belief sometimes expressed by women is that female genital mutilation enhances men’s sexual pleasure In many communities, the practice may also be upheld by beliefs associated with religion.

Case 3 You are a counsellor at a primary school. A 11-year old girl Samira is referred to you. She seems to be more quiet and withdrawn. She talks about her family will take her back to Somalia during the summer holidays, to spend some time with the rest of her family. She says her mum mentioned she is going to be ‘all grown up’ when she gets back. How concerned are you? What do you do?

DASH – Risk Assessment Form

Did we cover this? Honour-Based Violence Forced Marriage Female Genital Mutilation The law and HBV, FM and FGM

Assignment 8 Explain ways in which people experience discrimination Evaluate your own experiences or observations of possible discrimination How might diversity impact on the counselling relationship? Have you experienced any issues around difference? How might this awareness impact on your development and on your counselling skills?

Closing