This document outlines Bright World’s policy and procedure in relation to suspected cases of so-called ‘honour-based abuse’ (HBA). This term describes a range of abusive practices used to control the behaviour of individuals in order to protect a perceived idea of family or community ‘honour’. These practices may include Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), forced marriage, breast ironing, coercive control, threats, intimidation and other forms of physical, emotional or psychological abuse.
So-called ‘honour-based abuse’ is a form of abuse and safeguarding concern. It is not linked to any particular culture, religion or ethnicity. Bright World recognises that children and young people of any background may be at risk and all concerns must be considered on an individual basis.
If staff have any concern relating to Honour Based Abuse, FGM or Forced Marriage, they must contact the DSL or Deputy DSL immediately using the details below.
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):
Robbie Piper – 01273 835745 – Robbie@brightworld.co.uk
Lana Foster – Lana@brightworld.co.uk
Deputy DSL:
Su Warren – 01273 835745 – Su@Brightworld.co.uk
James Foster – James@brightworld.co.uk
If a child is at immediate risk of harm: Call 999.
If you need to report a crime that is not an emergency, call 101.
So-Called ‘Honour based’ Abuse (HBA)
So-called ‘honour-based abuse’ (HBA) encompasses crimes and harmful practices committed to control behaviour and protect a perceived idea of family or community honour. This may include Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), forced marriage, breast ironing, coercive control, threats, intimidation and other forms of physical, emotional or psychological abuse. All forms of so-called ‘honour-based abuse’ are safeguarding concerns and must be responded to and escalated as abuse, regardless of the motivation behind them. If in any doubt, staff should speak to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Professionals and organisations working with children and young people should remain alert to the possibility that a child may be at risk of, or have experienced, so-called ‘honour-based abuse’.
So-called ‘honour-based abuse’ can occur where individuals or families use ideas of perceived honour, shame, reputation or family expectations to justify controlling, threatening or abusive behaviour. It is important to recognise that this form of abuse is not associated with any particular culture, religion, ethnicity or community. There have been a number of high-profile so-called ‘honour’-based killings in the UK in recent years, which represent the most extreme form of this abuse. In other circumstances, a victim may experience ongoing physical, emotional or psychological abuse, including intimidation, threats, coercion or bullying, as punishment for being perceived to have brought shame or dishonour on a family or community. So-called ‘honour-based abuse’ may involve domestic abuse, child abuse and other safeguarding concerns motivated by a perceived need to control behaviour or protect reputation.
Individuals may be considered at risk where families or communities seek to control aspects of their life, including relationships, education, friendships, clothing, travel, social interactions or personal choices.
Perceptions of common ways in which honour can be damaged
Defying parental authority: In many cultures, elder members of the family are expected to control their children. Parents who publicly fail to do so may lose status in the community as a result.
Becoming ‘western’ (clothes, behaviour, attitude): People from honour-based cultures often transform ideas of honour into a pride in one’s origins and/or religion once they settle in ‘the West’. Families who allow their children to assimilate into wider society can be seen as betraying their origins, their community and their ancestors.
Women having sex/relationships before marriage: Many honour-based cultures put a high premium on a girl’s virginity and sexual fidelity. Families whose women are believed to have extramarital relationships (even of a non-sexual kind) can suffer a decline in honour and social standing.
Use of drugs or alcohol: Drinking alcohol and using drugs not endorsed by religion, culture or tradition can bring shame on families because their children are seen as abandoning or rejecting the values of their parents and their community.
Gossip: In many cases honour is damaged less by a person’s action than by knowledge of that action becoming public knowledge. Rumours and gossip—even if untrue—can damage the status of a family or an individual. In many cases, families are less concerned with immoral acts, than with how these will affect how they are seen by their relatives and by other members of their community.
So-called ‘honour-based abuse’ may involve one or more perpetrators, including family members, partners or members of a wider community network. Unlike some forms of domestic abuse, there may be pressure or involvement from multiple individuals who seek to control or punish the victim. This form of abuse is most usually directed towards young women, although this is not always the case: men have also been victims. So-called “honour”-based abuse is not associated with particular religions or religious practice: the crime type has been recorded across Christian, Jewish, Sikh, Hindu and Muslim communities.
So-called ‘honour-based abuse’ may involve coercive control, including restrictions on movement, education, friendships, communication, clothing, relationships or personal choices. It may involve pressure from multiple individuals, including family members or wider networks.
This policy outlines three crime types which fall within the so-called HBA:
However, HBA can involve a wide range of abusive behaviours and is not limited to these examples. Any concern involving coercion, threats, violence, control or pressure linked to perceived family or community honour must be treated as a safeguarding concern.
1. Female Genital Mutilation
2. Breast ironing
3. Forced Marriage
1. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
This section outlines the legislative background to this form of child abuse, Bright World policy and procedure for reports of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) which is to be followed in support of government legislation.
Policy – Background Information
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a form of child abuse which involves procedures that include the partial or total removal of the external female genital organs for non-medical reasons. FGM of children and women is a criminal offence in the UK, however most FGM practising families do not see the practice as a form of abuse and often see that they are acting in the best interests of the girl. These reasons may include social control of women’s sexual and reproductive rights (to prevent women being promiscuous by removing the desire for sexual intercourse), which can portray the ritual as a joyful occasion with community values.
FGM is not required by any religion and is not supported by religious teaching. It is a form of child abuse and a criminal offence. It occurs across some communities and must be recognised as a form of child abuse and a safeguarding concern. FGM is a national and international problem. The practice has roots in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, and has been identified in parts of Europe, North America and Australia.
FGM is extremely painful (for example severe pain, organ damage and shock), and has serious health consequences both at the time when the mutilation is carried out and in later life (for example menstrual problems, kidney damage and emotional or mental health problems).
FGM can be carried out at any age (though tends to be carried on 5-8 year old girls) which may require safeguarding measures to be in place over the course of the girl’s childhood, which is a significantly different framework and timescale to other forms of abuse.
Current national FGM prevalence data is provided by NHS England’s annual FGM statistics, available through the NHS England FGM Enhanced Dataset. NHS Digital FGM Enhanced Dataset reports show that cases are recorded in all regions of England. Annual prevalence varies year to year, but FGM remains a national safeguarding concern affecting both urban and rural areas.
Legislation
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, FGM is illegal under the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003, and in Scotland it is illegal under the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Act 2005. The Serious Crime Act 2015 strengthened the legislative framework around tackling FGM which includes an offence of failing to protect a girl from FGM, lifelong anonymity for victims of FGM and Protection Orders which can be used to protect girls at risk.
Bright World Policy
Bright World Guardianships has a policy that staff should be aware of the offence specific to parents or those who have assumed responsibility for caring for the girl “in the manner of a parent” i.e. guardianship company.
The offence of failing to protect a girl from FGM (Section 3A of the FGM Act 2003). This offence is committed against a girl under the age of 16, which means that each person who is responsible for the girl at the time of FGM occurred will be liable under this new offence. The maximum penalty for the new offence is seven years’ imprisonment or a fine or both.
To be “responsible” for a girl, the person will either have parental responsibility for the girl (such as mothers, fathers married to the mothers at the time of birth and guardians) and have frequent contact with her, or where the person is aged 18 or over they will have assumed responsibility for caring for the girl “in the manner of a parent”, for example family members to whom parents might send their child during the summer holidays.
The requirement for “frequent contact” is intended to ensure that a person who in law has parental responsibility for a girl, but who in practice has little or no contact with her, would not be liable. Similarly, the requirement that the person should be caring for the girl “in the manner of a parent” is intended to ensure that a person who is looking after a girl for a very short period – such as a baby sitter – would not be liable.
It would be a defence for a defendant to show that at the relevant time, they did not think that there was a significant risk of FGM being committed, and could not reasonably have been expected to be aware that there was any such risk; or they took such steps as he or she could reasonably have been expected to take to protect the girl from being the victim of FGM. The onus would then be on the prosecution to prove the contrary.
Mandatory Reporting Duty
The mandatory reporting duty for Female Genital Mutilation (Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003, as amended by the Serious Crime Act 2015) applies only to regulated professionals such as teachers, social workers and healthcare professionals.
Bright World Guardianships staff are not currently subject to the statutory mandatory reporting duty for FGM. However, all staff have a safeguarding responsibility to report any disclosure, concern or suspicion of FGM immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
The DSL will then decide whether to:
- Notify the police via 101,
- make a referral to Children’s Social Care, or
- take both actions.
- Staff must not investigate and must not delay reporting.
Children at risk of FGM – increased, significant and immediate risk
Bright World staff should be aware of the factors which can make a child at increased risk of FGM:
• Child’s mother has undergone FGM
• Other female family members have had FGM
• Father comes from a community known to practice FGM
• Parents say that they or a relative will be taking the girl abroad for a prolonged period – this may not only be to a country with high prevalence, but this would more likely lead to a concern
• Girl has spoken about a long holiday to her country of origin/another country where the practice is prevalent
• Girls presents symptoms that could be related to FGM
• Any other safeguarding alert already associated with the family
Bright World staff should be aware of factors which could indicate that a child is at significant or immediate risk:
• Girl has confided in another that she is to have a ‘special procedure’ or to attend a ‘special occasion’.
• Girl has talked about going away ‘to become a woman’ or ‘to become like my mum and sister’
An awareness of these risks will help staff members to remain vigilant to the possible indicators of this form of child abuse. This is particularly important where the risk factors occur in conjunction with signs or symptoms of FGM which can include a girl or woman who may:
• Have difficulty walking, sitting or standing
• Spend longer than normal in the bathroom or toilet
• Have unusual behaviour after an absence from school or college
• Be particularly reluctant to undergo normal medical examinations
• Ask for help, but may not be explicit about the problem due to embarrassment or fear
Working with partners to protect children
Bright World Guardianships recognises the opportunity that the company has to support partners including schools and medical professionals in helping to protect and support children and young people at risk of, or who have undergone FGM. Disclosures or suspected cases of FGM can be reported to Bright World staff in relation to our own students, and also in relation to other children and young people who our students may be in contact with.
As FGM is a form of child abuse, Bright World Guardianships is aware of the obligation to report cases of FGM in line with the company’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy. The DSL or Deputy DSL will make a report to the police non-emergency number 101 in cases where:
- a girl under 18 either discloses that she has had FGM,
- a staff member suspects a child is at serious or imminent risk of FGM or
- a staff member suspects a child is displaying signs or symptoms of FGM
This is because a crime has been committed and a child has suffered physical (and potentially other) abuse. Following the referral, the multi-agency safeguarding response would usually include a referral to a specialist service to confirm the girl has had FGM.
NSPCC Helpline
Bright World staff should be aware of the NSPCC FGM helpline, 0800 028 3550. This helpline can support both professionals, company members or family members concerned that a child is at risk of, or has had, FGM. They also offer email support on: fgm.help@nspcc.org.uk.
Bright World Procedure for dealing with reports of suspected FGM
1. Bright World staff member receives the report of suspected FGM from a student, member of staff at a school, parent or other source by face to face disclosure, email or telephone call.
2. Bright World Staff member adheres to the Child Protection Policy including contemporaneously recording the disclosure in the most appropriate format (using the Tell Explain Describe model if the information is being given by a student).
3. The record of the disclosure is reported verbally as soon as practicable to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Robbie Piper or Lana Foster at Head Office on 01273 835745.
4. The staff member must submit a written record of the disclosure on an IBOS Student Record – Incident Record (Head Office staff) or an email to Robbie Piper (Robbie@brightworld.co.uk) or Lana Foster (lana@brightworld.co.uk).
5. The DSL will hold an emergency strategy meeting to discuss the incident, assess the alleged threat and risk to the child, implement an action plan and continue to review the situation until a resolution has been achieved.
6. The meeting will be recorded with timed and dated entries within a Student Record – Incident Record to record all actions and updates.
7. The incident will be referred to a statutory agency for further review in support of the FGM Act 2003.
Resources
Home Office – FGM: Statement opposing female genital mutilation
Mandatory reporting of female genital mutilation: procedural information – Mandatory reporting of female genital mutilation: procedural information
FGM protection orders: factsheet – FGM protection orders: factsheet
FGM – Abuse unchecked – Female genital mutilation: abuse unchecked: the government response to the ninth report from the Home Affairs Select Committee session 2016-17 HC 390 (PDF)
2. Breast Ironing
Breast Ironing, also known as “breast flattening”, is the process whereby a young pubescent girl’s breasts are ironed, massaged or pounded using hard or heated objects (such as stones, hammers or heated spatulas) in order to delay or prevent breast development. In some cases, an elastic belt may be used to compress the breasts instead.
There is a belief in some families that carrying out this act will protect girls from harassment, rape, abduction or early forced marriage, and therefore help them remain in education.
The same reporting pathway used for FGM must be followed for Breast Ironing concerns, including immediate verbal reporting to the DSL and written recording.
Cultural Sensitivity Statement:
These practices occur in some families and communities but are not representative of any culture, religion or ethnicity as a whole. Safeguarding concerns must always be considered on an individual basis without making assumptions.
Breast ironing has been reported in some communities, including parts of Cameroon, Benin, Ivory Coast, Chad, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Togo, Zimbabwe and Guinea-Conakry. However, it is vital not to assume that families from these regions practise or condone such actions.
In many cases the person carrying out the abuse believes they are acting in the child’s best interests by delaying puberty and reducing perceived risks. Nonetheless, Breast Ironing is a harmful cultural practice and constitutes physical abuse.
Staff working with children and young people must be able to identify the signs and symptoms of girls who are at risk of, or have undergone, breast ironing. Staff must follow the Bright World Guardianships Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy when responding to concerns.
Children at risk of Breast Ironing
The girl generally believes that the practice is being carried out for her own good and she will often remain silent. Young pubescent girls, often aged between 9 and 15 years old, may be at increased risk where breast ironing is practised. Staff should avoid assumptions based on culture, ethnicity or background and consider concerns on an individual basis.
Health Consequences of Breast Ironing
Due to the instruments which are used during the process of breast ironing, for example, spoon/broom, stones, pestle, breast band, leaves etc. combined with insufficient aftercare, young girls are exposed to significant health risks. Breast ironing is painful and violates a young girl’s physical integrity. It exposes girls to numerous health problems such as cancer, abscesses, itching, and discharge of milk, infection, dis-symmetry of the breasts, cysts, breast infections, severe fever, tissue damage and even the complete disappearance of one or both breasts.
Possible indicators of Breast Ironing
Breast ironing is a well-kept secret between the young girl and her mother. Often the father remains completely unaware. Some indicators that a girl has undergone breast ironing are as follows:
• Unusual behaviour after an absence from school or college including depression, anxiety, aggression, withdrawn etc.;
• Reluctance in undergoing normal medical examinations;
• Some girls may ask for help, but may not be explicit about the problem due to embarrassment or fear;
• Fear of changing for physical activities due to scars showing or bandages being visible.
• Fear or anxiety relating to family expectations or overseas travel;
• Concerns about early marriage or pressure to conform to family expectations;
• Increased secrecy, withdrawal or changes in behaviour.
Bright World Procedure for dealing with concerns for a child or suspected reports of Breast Ironing
Breast Ironing is a form of physical abuse and if staff are concerned that a child may be at risk of or suffering significant harm they must refer to the Bright World Guardianships Safeguarding Policy and Child Protection Policy for reporting concerns or suspicions that a child may be at risk of or has suffered this form of child abuse.
3. Forced Marriage
A forced marriage is where one or both people do not (or in cases of people with learning disabilities, cannot) consent to the marriage and pressure or abuse is used. It is an appalling and indefensible practice and is recognised in the UK as a form of violence against women and men, domestic/child abuse and a serious abuse of human rights.
The pressure put on people to marry against their will can be physical (including threats, actual physical violence and sexual violence) or emotional and psychological (for example, when someone is made to feel like they’re bringing shame on their family). Financial abuse (taking your wages or not giving you any money) can also be a factor (Forced Marriage GOV.UK Guidance.)
The UK Government regards forced marriage as a serious abuse of human rights and a form of domestic abuse. Where this affects children and young people, this is child abuse and a criminal offence. Bright World Guardianships will treat reports of forced marriage as a child protection issue. Staff should not attempt to mediate between the child and their family or attempt to resolve concerns directly with family members, as this may increase the risk to the child. Bright World will share information promptly when a child or young person is at risk of forced marriage, and this will include providing information to the Forced Marriage Unit.
This form of abuse can happen to both women and men, although many of the reported cases involve young women and girls aged between 16 and 25. There is no “typical” victim of forced marriage. Some may be over or under 18 years of age, some may have a disability, some may have young children and some may also be spouses from overseas.
There is a clear distinction between a forced marriage and an arranged marriage. In arranged marriages, the families of both spouses take a leading role in arranging the marriage, but the choice of whether or not to accept the arrangement still remains with the prospective spouses. However, in forced marriage, one or both spouses do not consent to the marriage but are coerced into it. Duress can include physical, psychological, financial, sexual and emotional pressure. In the cases of some vulnerable adults who lack the capacity to consent, coercion is not required for a marriage to be forced.
The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 makes it a criminal offence to* _force_* someone to marry.
This includes:
- Taking someone overseas to force them to marry (whether or not the forced marriage takes place)
- Marrying someone who lacks the mental capacity to consent to the marriage (whether they’re pressured to or not)
- Breaching a Forced Marriage Protection Order is also a criminal offence
- The civil remedy of obtaining a Forced Marriage Protection Order through the family courts will continue to exist alongside the new criminal offence, so victims can choose how they wish to be assisted. A FMPO offers protection to children and adults at risk of being forced into marriage and to those who have already been forced into marriage. The terms of the orders issued can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the victim.
To address the increasing scale and extent of forced marriage, the UK Government established the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) in 2005. The FMU is a joint Home Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office Unit – the role of the FMU is to provide direct assistance, through information and support, to victims, as well as undertaking a full and comprehensive programme of outreach activity, raising awareness and providing advice to professionals and communities.
Forced Marriage Unit (FMU)
-Telephone: 020 7008 0151
-Overseas: +44 (0)20 7008 0151
-Email: fmu@fcdo.gov.uk
*Overseas travel and forced marriage risks
Staff should be alert to situations where a child or young person may be taken overseas in relation to forced marriage, FGM or other forms of so-called ‘honour-based abuse’.
Indicators may include:
• Fear about upcoming family holidays or travel;
• Sudden or unexplained travel plans;
• Extended periods abroad;
• Concerns about being unable to return to the UK;
• A child expressing fear about visiting family overseas.
Any concerns should be reported immediately to the DSL. Staff should not investigate or contact family members where this may increase risk.
Possible Indicators or Warning Signs of Forced Marriage
- Absence and persistent absence from schools, or other siblings within the family reported as missing
- Request for extended leave of absence and failure to return from visits to country of origin
- Fear about forthcoming school holidays
- Surveillance by siblings or cousins at school
- Decline in behaviour, engagement, performance or punctuality
- Poor exam results
- Being withdrawn from school by those with parental responsibility
- Removal from a day centre of a person with a physical or learning disability
- Not allowed to attend extra-curricular activities
- Sudden announcement of engagement to a stranger
- Prevented from going on to further/higher education
- Self harm/attempted suicide or threats to kill
- Eating disorders
- Depression/ Isolation
- Substance misuse
- Unwanted pregnancy
- Female Genital Mutilation
- Acid Attacks
- The victim reported for offences e.g. shoplifting or substance misuse
- Reports of other offences such as rape of kidnap
Safeguarding children and young people from harm by sharing information or to prevent a crime being committed
Although forced marriage is now a specific criminal offence, there are still a number of other offences that may nevertheless be committed. Perpetrators – usually parents or family members – may also be prosecuted for offences including fear or provocation of violence, common assault, actual bodily harm, grievous bodily harm, harassment, common assault, kidnap, abduction, theft (of passport), threats to kill, false imprisonment and murder. Sexual intercourse without consent is rape, regardless of whether this occurs within a marriage or not.
Where it may arise that a local authority children’s social care has a case referred to it that constitutes, or may constitute, a criminal offence against a child; social workers or their managers should always discuss the case with the police at the earliest opportunity. Where other agencies encounter concerns about a child’s welfare that constitutes, or may constitute, a criminal offence against a child they must consider sharing that information with Local Authority children’s social care or the police in order to protect the child or other children from the risk of significant harm. If a decision is reached not to share information, the reasons must be recorded.
Bright World Procedure for dealing with concerns for a child or suspected reports of Forced Marriage
Forced marriage is a form of child abuse and if staff are concerned that a child may be at risk of or suffering significant harm they must refer to the Bright World Guardianships Safeguarding Policy and Child Protection Policy for reporting concerns or suspicions that a child may be at risk of or has suffered this form of child abuse.
The DSL will consider referral to Children’s Social Care, the police and the Forced Marriage Unit where appropriate. All decisions, actions and outcomes will be recorded in accordance with Bright World’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.
We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.
This policy was last reviewed: August 2026
Signed: 
Robbie Piper, Senior Guardianship and Safeguarding Manager, DSL
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