Groundbreaking Crown Prosecution Service panel calls on experts to help tackle hidden and evolving ‘honour’-based crimes

Experts have joined prosecutors to advise on how to spot hidden signs of ‘honour’-based abuse as part of a drive to improve how these complex and often-hidden crimes are prosecuted.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) invited specialist organisations to scrutinise the handling of these cases - which can include female genital mutilation and forced marriage - as part of its first ever national ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) scrutiny panel.

The first session, held yesterday, brought together women’s and victim support organisations, police and prosecutors to examine real cases and identify what more could have been done to spot signs of abuse.

Jaswant Narwal, CPS national lead for HBA, female genital mutilation and forced marriage, said: “Victims of ‘honour’-based abuse often suffer in silence, trapped by fear and loyalty, and terrified of speaking out against those closest to them.

“These crimes are not only hidden - they are also evolving - and that is why we need to bring stakeholders and partners into the room to work out what we’re getting right, and what we need to address better.

“We are determined to shine a light on this abuse and play our part to secure justice for those who feel they have no voice.”

The panel gave those gathered the opportunity to ask representatives of the CPS questions about a handful of cases. Specialist organisations were able to provide expert insight, including into the impact of offending on victims’ behaviour and responses and how they could have been better supported.

It also explored the potential impact of a new statutory legal definition of HBA, announced by the government, which aims to ensure consistency in how these crimes are identified and recorded.

HBA offences are frequently underreported because victims can face pressure and the fear of repercussions from their abusers who are often members of their own families or communities. These crimes can be deeply hidden, creating additional layers of consideration for prosecutors.

The scrutiny panel forms a key commitment under the CPS Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy, which recognises the interconnected nature of offending in HBA cases - such as coercive control - and the need for a whole-system approach to address them.

Lessons learned will inform future prosecution guidance and training, ensuring prosecutors remain alert to the evolving nature of HBA, including emerging forms such as bridal abandonment, dowry abuse and immigration-related exploitation.

Insights from the panel will also help update the joint CPS and National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) protocols for ‘honour’-based abuse/forced marriage and female genital mutilation, reinforcing the importance of collective working to better recognise these crimes and deliver justice for victims.

Assistant Chief Constable Emma James, national policing lead for HBA, said: “When victims and survivors come forward to share their experience, we must listen and act on what they tell us, their voices are fundamental in improving our response to ‘honour’-based abuse.

“We know that speaking out about ‘honour’-based abuse can take immense courage, and many victims do so while facing profound fear and risk. It’s why our response must be compassionate, thorough and unwavering – always prioritising their safety and holding offenders to account for their actions.

“A strong partnership between police and prosecutors is essential to building the best possible cases and ensuring victims receive the protection, care and justice they deserve.”

Solicitor General Ellie Reeves MP attended the opening session of the panel to set out the Government’s ambition in tackling HBA and lead a discussion on the challenges victims face in disclosing female genital mutilation (FGM) and engaging with the criminal justice system.

She said: “Honour-based abuse is abhorrent and hiding behind traditions to carry out these acts, such as female genital mutilation, is unacceptable.

“Nobody should have to experience these awful crimes, and we must be relentless in bringing perpetrators to justice.

“This landmark panel brings together crucial partners across the criminal justice system to understand what we can do better to tackle these sensitive and complex crimes, and as Solicitor General, I am committed to ensuring victims get the justice they deserve.”