Honour Based Violence Web Chat

21 April 2011, 06:00 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

The Safer Leicester Partnership is hosting its third live online chat tonight, which will be aimed at those affected by ‘honour based violence’.

‘Honour based violence’ is a term widely used to define the abuse a man or woman will suffer if they bring ‘shame’ upon their family or culture. This abuse cuts across a wide range of cultures and the Safer Leicester Partnership hopes that by giving people the opportunity to discuss the subject, victims will feel supported and encouraged to come forward.

Taking part in the online chat is Sgt Jo Fyson, an officer from Leicestershire Constabulary’s domestic violence unit, and Meena Kumari, Manager of the SAFE Project, a domestic abuse support service.

Sgt Jo Fyson said: “The aim of this online chat is to inform victims, or members of the public, that there is help out there and where they can get it. If victims chose to contact us, the police, we would deal with their case in the utmost confidence. Their safety is paramount.

“In November 2010 we helped bring seven people to justice after a woman was kidnapped by her family, who disapproved of her relationship with her boyfriend. All seven offenders were banned from making contact with the victim.

“The result of that case is an excellent example of how we really can help victims of ‘so called’ honour based crimes.”

Meena Kumari said: “I have worked with a lot of victims of honour based violence and found that they tend to suffer in silence, very often unaware of the wide variety of services and options available to them.

“This online chat will provide a safe forum for victims and members of the public to enquire about the subject and will hopefully give them that little bit of confidence they need to talk about their problems.”

As the online chat is one hour long and no personal details are given it does not have the capacity to discuss personal problems or deal with crime reports. What it can do is direct you through to the right people to help you with your issues.

To take part in the online chat, click on the link: http://www.leics.police.uk/advice/2_information_zone/93_webchats/

The online chat will take place between 6pm and 7pm.