Honour Based Violence & Forced Marriage

Evidence suggests that incidents of honour based violence and forced marriage are surfacing with increased frequency in Canada. This form of family violence is perpetrated against a family member, usually female, who is perceived to have brought shame or dishonour to the family. There is also a link between honour based violence and forced marriages where honour crimes may be employed either as a means of enforcing an imposed marriage or as punishment for a refusal to comply with expected cultural and/or religious practices and norms.

Honour Based Violence and Forced Marriage will provide an introductory understanding of the issues surrounding honour based violence and forced marriage and improve awareness of investigational considerations. It is designed to help officers proactively identify family violence crimes that may be based on honour and cultural values and to reduce the victimization of innocent individuals.

Learning Objectives

When you have completed this course you will be able to:

• Define the concepts of honour based violence and forced marriage
• Identify the victims, and perpetrators of, and motives behind, honour based violence and forced marriage
• Describe reporting barriers
• Describe the impact that both Criminal Law and Civil Law may have on honour based violence and forced marriage investigations
• Summarize policing best practices in the investigation of honour based violence and forced marriage
• Identify national partners and resources that can assist in honour based violence and forced marriage investigations
• Explain some of the convictions that have resulted from Canadian police investigations

 

Target Audience

Sworn Police, Police Services, Government and Other First Responders