Honour-Based Abuse & Forced Marriage: A School Safeguarding Guide for DSLs
By The Safeguard Hub Team · May 2026 · Last reviewed May 2026 · ⏳ 15 min read
The Safeguard Hub — Honour-based abuse and forced marriage safeguarding guidance for schools and DSLs
⚠️ Critical rule — read before acting
If you suspect a young person is at risk of honour-based abuse or forced marriage, do not approach the family, involve family members, or attempt mediation. This is a statutory requirement. Doing so could place the victim at significantly greater risk and may prompt them to be taken abroad. Refer immediately to children's services (MASH) and the Forced Marriage Unit.
What Is Honour-Based Abuse?
Honour-based abuse (HBA) — sometimes called so-called "honour"-based abuse (HBV) — is a collective term for incidents or crimes committed in the name of protecting perceived family, community, or cultural "honour". It is a form of abuse with a motive: the perpetrator believes the victim has brought shame on the family, and that violence, coercion, or control is a justified or even obligatory response.
HBA is not confined to any single country, culture, or religion. It occurs across a range of communities and contexts in the UK. Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025 (KCSIE 2025) names HBA as a specific safeguarding issue requiring particular vigilance from schools and DSLs.[1]
The term encompasses:
- Forced marriage — a marriage to which one or both parties have not given free and full consent
- Female genital mutilation — addressed separately in our FGM guide
- Controlling and coercive behaviour — monitoring of movements, relationships, dress, and communication
- Threats and violence — including from multiple family members and sometimes the wider community
- So-called "honour killings" — murder committed in the name of family honour, which occurs in the UK
- Abandonment abroad — leaving a young person in another country to prevent them returning to the UK
There is no honour in abuse. The term is used in statutory guidance only to reflect how perpetrators frame their actions — it does not confer any legitimacy on them.
Key statistics
The Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) handled 2,025 cases in 2023. 81 cases involved travel to or from the UK. Victims were predominantly female (73%). The most commonly reported countries were Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India. Concerningly, 11% of victims were under 18 at the time of the case. The true scale is substantially higher — HBA is chronically under-reported due to fear, family loyalty, and lack of awareness of support.[2]
The Legal Framework
Honour-based abuse and forced marriage sit within a specific legal framework that DSLs must understand:
| Legislation | Key provision |
|---|---|
| Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 | Forced marriage is a criminal offence in England and Wales. Maximum sentence: 7 years' imprisonment. It is also an offence to arrange a forced marriage. |
| Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 (amending Family Law Act 1996) | Introduced Forced Marriage Protection Orders (FMPOs). Breaching an FMPO is a criminal offence (up to 5 years in prison since June 2014). |
| Children Act 1989 / 2004 | HBA meets the threshold of significant harm. Children's services must investigate under s.47 where a child is at risk. |
| Serious Crime Act 2015 | Mandatory reporting duty for FGM (separate from HBA general duty but often co-occurring). |
| Modern Slavery Act 2015 | Some forced marriage cases involve trafficking and exploitation, particularly where young people are brought to the UK for marriage. |
| KCSIE 2025 (DfE) | Statutory guidance requiring DSLs to understand and respond to HBA and forced marriage as specific safeguarding issues. |
How HBA and Forced Marriage Differ from Domestic Abuse
Honour-based abuse shares characteristics with domestic abuse — it is coercive, controlling, and often violent — but there are critical differences that shape the safeguarding response:
- Multiple perpetrators: HBA typically involves not one abuser but an entire family unit, and sometimes wider community members. The victim may face simultaneous pressure from parents, siblings, extended family, and community elders.
- Community dimension: Unlike most domestic abuse, HBA perpetrators often believe their actions are supported and validated by those around them. This makes it harder for victims to identify trusted people outside the family.
- No safe disclosure route within family: In domestic abuse cases it may be possible to involve a non-abusive family member to support the victim. In HBA cases, involving any family member is dangerous and is explicitly prohibited in statutory guidance.
- International dimension: HBA cases frequently involve the risk of travel abroad — for marriage, FGM, or permanent removal from the UK. Speed is critical once a risk is identified.
- No mediation — ever: Mediation is a recognised tool in some domestic abuse contexts. It is absolutely prohibited in HBA cases. This is a statutory requirement, not a recommendation.
Warning Signs: What Schools Should Look For
KCSIE 2025 and the Multi-Agency Statutory Guidance for Dealing with Forced Marriage (HM Government, 2023) identify the following as indicators that a young person may be at risk of HBA or forced marriage.[1][3]
Absence and Attendance
- Persistent or unexplained absence from school
- Request for extended leave — particularly to travel abroad during term time or school holidays
- Parents or carers providing implausible reasons for absence
- Sudden withdrawal from school with no clear reason
- Failure to return from a holiday
Behaviour and Emotional Signs
- Sudden and unexplained change in behaviour, mood, or academic performance
- Appearing withdrawn, anxious, or fearful — especially around parents or certain family members
- Talking about family pressure to conform to cultural expectations
- Disclosing that parents or family members are planning a marriage or trip abroad
- Expressing fear of going home or reluctance to leave school
- Running away from home
- Signs of self-harm or expressions of suicidal ideation (in some HBA contexts, young people may feel there is no way out)
Social and Relationship Indicators
- Escorted to and from school by family members who monitor who they speak to
- Not allowed to participate in extra-curricular activities, trips, or socialise outside school
- Devices monitored or communication restricted by the family
- Talking about a forthcoming "engagement", "ceremony", or "special holiday"
- Older siblings were married at a young age or also withdrawn from school at a similar age
- Speaking of having a boyfriend or girlfriend in secret, with fear of family discovery
- Disclosure — direct or indirect — that they are being forced to marry or are being taken abroad against their will
No single indicator is definitive. A combination of indicators, or a single clear disclosure, should prompt an immediate conversation with the DSL.
What Schools Must NOT Do
The statutory guidance is unambiguous. The following actions must not be taken by school staff. In every case, the reason is the same: these actions can place the victim at significantly greater risk and may result in them being harmed, taken abroad, or killed.
❌ Do NOT approach the family
Do not contact the family — by telephone, letter, email, or in person — to discuss concerns about HBA or forced marriage. This includes parents, siblings, extended family members, and community or religious leaders. Any contact risks alerting the perpetrators, who may act quickly to remove the victim from the country or harm them.
❌ Do NOT attempt mediation
Mediation between the victim and the family must never be attempted. Unlike some other safeguarding contexts, mediation is not an appropriate tool here. Statutory guidance is explicit: "schools should not attempt to mediate or reconcile between the victim and the family". Mediation can put the victim in immediate danger and has been linked to escalations in violence.
❌ Do NOT treat this as a "cultural" or "religious" matter
HBA is a crime. KCSIE 2025 is explicit that cultural, religious, or community norms do not override child protection law. Treating HBA differently from other forms of abuse on grounds of culture or ethnicity is discriminatory and puts children at risk. Practitioners sometimes hesitate due to fear of appearing racist or culturally insensitive — this hesitation costs lives.
❌ Do NOT use community or religious leaders as mediators
Even seemingly neutral community figures — imams, community elders, religious leaders — must not be approached as mediators. They may have closer ties to the family than they disclose, or may share the view that "honour" justifies the behaviour.
❌ Do NOT leave the young person without a safe means to contact you
Before the young person leaves your care, ensure they have a safe means of contacting the DSL, the Forced Marriage Unit, or Karma Nirvana — ideally a number they can memorise rather than store in a device that may be monitored. Agree a code word if appropriate.
The DSL Response: Step by Step
When a member of staff identifies indicators of HBA or forced marriage, the following protocol applies:
- Listen without judgement. If the young person is disclosing, follow standard TED protocol (Tell, Explain, Describe). Do not make promises of absolute confidentiality. Do not express shock, disbelief, or judgement. Record the disclosure verbatim as soon as possible.
- Speak to the DSL immediately. This is not a situation where "keeping an eye on things" is appropriate. Any concern must go to the DSL on the same day.
- Safety plan with the young person. Before they leave school, assess immediate risk. Is it safe for them to go home today? Do they have a trusted adult outside the family? What happens if they need help urgently? Agree on a safe contact method.
- Contact the Forced Marriage Unit. The FMU (020 7008 0151) provides specialist advice to both professionals and potential victims. They can advise on risk level, international dimensions, and whether an FMPO is appropriate. This call can be made for advice before a formal referral if needed.
- Refer to children's services (MASH). Where the young person is under 18, refer immediately. HBA and forced marriage meet the significant harm threshold under the Children Act 1989. Do not wait for the situation to escalate.
- If travel abroad is imminent — act immediately. Contact the police (999 or 101) and the FMU as an emergency. An FMPO can be obtained urgently to prevent removal from the UK, including requiring the surrender of passports. The UK Visas and Immigration flagging scheme (Warnings Index) can also be activated.
- Document everything. Record dates, times, observations, disclosures, and every action taken. Use your school's child protection recording system and ensure records are stored securely.
Forced Marriage Protection Orders (FMPOs)
A Forced Marriage Protection Order (FMPO) is a civil order made under the Family Law Act 1996 (as amended by the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007). It can contain any conditions a court considers appropriate to protect the victim.
Who Can Apply
- The victim themselves
- A local authority (children's services) on behalf of the victim
- A third party with permission of the court (e.g. a charity such as Karma Nirvana)
- The court on its own initiative
What an FMPO Can Do
- Prohibit named individuals from forcing or attempting to force the victim into marriage
- Prevent the victim being taken abroad — including requiring the surrender of all passports
- Prohibit family members from contacting or approaching the victim
- Require any person to reveal the whereabouts of the victim
- Any other condition the court considers appropriate
Timescale and Breach
In emergencies, an FMPO can be applied for and granted on the same day — courts can sit at short notice where there is immediate risk. Breaching an FMPO is a criminal offence carrying up to five years' imprisonment under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
Schools cannot apply for an FMPO directly but should support children's services in the application. The Forced Marriage Unit can advise on the process.
The Multi-Agency Response
HBA and forced marriage cases require rapid, coordinated multi-agency working. The key agencies involved are:
| Agency | Role |
|---|---|
| School / DSL | First point of identification and disclosure; refer to MASH; do not involve family; safety plan with young person |
| Children's services (MASH) | S.47 investigation if significant harm threshold met; coordinate multi-agency response; apply for FMPO where needed |
| Police | Criminal investigation; emergency response if travel imminent; Warnings Index flagging; FMPO breach enforcement |
| Forced Marriage Unit | Specialist government advice service (joint FCO/Home Office); international cases; repatriation; FMPO guidance |
| Karma Nirvana | UK charity providing specialist support to victims and professionals; national helpline 0800 599 9247 |
| Health | GP, school nurse, CAMHS — may be first to identify indicators; mandatory reporters for FGM where co-occurring |
| Immigration / UKVI | Warnings Index flagging to prevent removal from UK; passport seizure; repatriation support |
The Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 framework governs multi-agency working. The DSL should ensure that any HBA case is escalated through the correct pathways and that a strategy discussion is convened promptly where a s.47 enquiry is initiated.[4]
KCSIE 2025: What Schools Are Required to Do
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025 explicitly lists honour-based abuse and forced marriage as specific safeguarding issues. It requires DSLs and governing bodies to ensure:[1]
- All staff receive training that includes awareness of HBA and forced marriage as safeguarding issues
- The DSL has detailed knowledge of the warning signs and the referral pathway
- The school's child protection policy addresses HBA and forced marriage specifically
- Staff understand the prohibition on family mediation in HBA cases
- The school knows how to access the Forced Marriage Unit and Karma Nirvana helplines
KCSIE 2025 also requires DSLs to be aware that HBA may be co-occurring with other forms of abuse — particularly FGM, child criminal exploitation, and trafficking — and that the safeguarding response must consider all dimensions.
A Note on Male Victims
The majority of HBA and forced marriage victims are female, but male victims are significantly under-identified. The FMU reports that approximately 27% of its cases in 2023 involved male victims.[2] Boys and young men face additional barriers to disclosure — stigma, fear of not being believed, concerns about being seen as "weak", and uncertainty about what support is available for them.
DSLs should ensure that awareness of HBA is framed in a way that does not exclude male victims, and that referral pathways and support services are communicated in gender-inclusive terms. Karma Nirvana and the Forced Marriage Unit support both female and male victims.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is honour-based abuse?
Honour-based abuse (HBA) is a collective term for crimes and harmful behaviour carried out by family members — and sometimes wider community members — to protect perceived "honour". It includes forced marriage, controlling behaviour, threats, violence, and sometimes murder. It occurs across multiple communities in the UK and is addressed as a specific safeguarding issue in KCSIE 2025.
Is forced marriage illegal in the UK?
Yes. Forced marriage has been a criminal offence in England and Wales since June 2014 under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. It carries a maximum sentence of seven years. Arranging a forced marriage is also a criminal offence. Breaching a Forced Marriage Protection Order carries up to five years in prison.
What should a DSL do if they suspect a pupil is at risk of forced marriage?
Refer immediately to children's services (MASH) and contact the Forced Marriage Unit (020 7008 0151). Do not approach the family or attempt mediation. Safety plan with the young person before they leave school. If travel abroad is imminent, contact the police immediately — an FMPO can be obtained as an emergency to prevent removal from the UK.
What is a Forced Marriage Protection Order?
A Forced Marriage Protection Order (FMPO) is a civil court order under the Family Law Act 1996 that can prohibit forced marriage, prevent travel abroad, require surrender of passports, and impose any other condition the court considers appropriate. It can be obtained as an emergency on the same day. Breaching it is a criminal offence.
Why should schools never attempt mediation in HBA cases?
Unlike some domestic abuse contexts, mediation is explicitly prohibited in HBA and forced marriage cases. Statutory guidance makes clear that involving family members — including through mediation — can place the victim at significantly greater risk, alert perpetrators to take swift action, and in some cases has been linked to escalations in violence. Any intervention must go through MASH and specialist agencies, not the family.
Who to Contact
⚠️ Immediate risk — act now
- Immediate danger: Call 999
- Police (non-emergency): Call 101
- Forced Marriage Unit (professionals & victims): 020 7008 0151 — Mon–Fri 9am–5pm; out of hours: contact police
- Children's services referral: Contact your local MASH — find your local authority at gov.uk ↗
Specialist support services
- Karma Nirvana (HBA & forced marriage specialist charity): 0800 599 9247 — free, Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. For both victims and professionals.
- NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (free, 24/7) — for professionals with concerns about a child
- Childline: 0800 1111 (free, 24/7) — for children and young people
- Hestia's STAR service: Specialist trafficking and exploitation support — for cases with a trafficking dimension
- Immigration enforcement (if passport at risk): The Forced Marriage Unit can coordinate with UKVI to flag passports on the Warnings Index
For the young person: safe words to memorise
Before a young person at risk leaves your care, ensure they have key numbers memorised — not just stored in a phone that may be monitored. Karma Nirvana (0800 599 9247) and the Forced Marriage Unit (020 7008 0151) both accept calls from potential victims. The young person should know that calling these services is safe, confidential, and that the family will not be informed of the contact.
🔗 Related guidance on The Safeguard Hub
Sources: [1] Department for Education (2025). Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025. gov.uk. [2] Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office / Home Office (2024). Forced Marriage Unit Statistics 2023. gov.uk. [3] HM Government (2023). The Right to Choose: Multi-Agency Statutory Guidance for Dealing with Forced Marriage. gov.uk. [4] HM Government (2026). Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026. gov.uk. [5] Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. legislation.gov.uk. [6] Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007. legislation.gov.uk. Last reviewed: May 2026.