Resilience, Safety, Change – Supporting Survivors of Honour-Based Abuse

Resilience in Action for Positive Change - 1

Legally reviewed by: Ravi Kaur Mahey Nov 2025 In: Child Care

Written by Majeja Miah, Solicitor – Children Law, Cartwright King Solicitors
Majeja is a solicitor based in our London office with over five years of experience in family law. She specialises in children law matters and is committed to safeguarding and empowering vulnerable individuals.

Resilience in Action For Positive Change

Resilience is often portrayed as a linear journey – one of steady progress and upward momentum. However, for survivors of Honour-Based Abuse (HBA) and those working to dismantle its structures, resilience is far more complex. It is a dynamic process shaped by barriers such as immigration insecurity, racism, community stigma, poverty, and housing instability. These challenges do not diminish resilience; rather, they define its depth and the courage it demands.

At the heart of resilience lies a progression and three steps: Safety → Agency → Participation.

Safety provides the foundation – a ground to stand on. Without safety, there can be no meaningful autonomy. Agency follows, encompassing independence, the ability to make choices, and the hope of a future. Participation is the final, transformative stage, where survivors and communities engage in systemic change.

Education plays a pivotal role in this journey. It is not merely a tool for awareness; it is a form of prevention that can save lives. Prevention must be embedded as a national strategy, not just a local or sector-specific initiative. This includes recognising that disclosures of HBA can happen anywhere, therefore, a whole-community approach is essential. Everyone, from educators and healthcare professionals to neighbours and faith leaders, has a role to play.

Importantly, men must be included in this work. Their engagement is vital in challenging harmful norms and fostering allyship. Technology also offers powerful opportunities for change. Online platforms can amplify voices, raise awareness, and connect survivors to support. When used thoughtfully, digital tools become instruments of empowerment.

Policy change has been driven by relentless campaigning. The Home Office has begun to respond with tangible developments. These include improved identification of HBA among professionals, particularly the police, and enhanced risk assessment protocols. Public understanding is also growing, supported by targeted awareness campaigns and free e-learning modules.

A statutory definition of HBA is on the horizon, to be introduced through multi-agency statutory guidance. This will create a shared language and framework for identifying and responding to abuse. A prevalence study on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage is also underway, alongside efforts to uplift helpline support and improve risk escalation responses.

Yet, the most difficult part remains: implementation. Policy alone cannot drive change. A holistic approach is essential; one that integrates prevention, survivor support, community engagement, and systemic reform. Resilience is not just surviving adversity; it is transforming it into action for positive change.

At Cartwright King Solicitors, we are committed to supporting survivors of Honour-Based Abuse with compassion, expertise, and discretion. Our specialist family and care solicitors understand the complex dynamics surrounding HBA and work tirelessly to ensure that individuals feel safe, heard, and empowered. We provide legal advice and representation in care proceedings, protective orders, and safeguarding matters, always prioritising the wellbeing and autonomy of our clients. Through a trauma-informed approach and multi-agency collaboration, we help survivors navigate the legal system and access the support they need to rebuild their lives and participate in positive change.