Honour-based violence What is honour-based violence?
What is honour-based violence?
As the name honour-based violence suggests, this form of violence is linked to a concept of honour. It is meant to protect or restore honour that has supposedly been violated. What is characteristic for honour-based violence is that it is often collectively justified and practised, as well as being normatively fixed. Honour-based violence may be physical, psychological, sexual, social or economic, whereby the types of violence range widely from rather more subtle emotional blackmail to forced marriage to massive acid attacks and vendettas.
Since honour-based violence can differ decisively from other types of violence more well-known in Switzerland because of its collective and normative character, specific approaches and solutions are required for prevention and intervention as well as the protection of those affected. The instruments that are available, for example in the field of domestic or family violence, are too limited.
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