Critical Assessment of Honour Killing as Gender-Based Violence in UK

This essay provides a critical assessment of honour killing as a form of gender-based violence, focusing on its prevalence within the United Kingdom. The introduction defines honour killing, also known as shame killing, as a homicide committed by family members due to the belief that the victim has brought dishonour to the family, often related to violations of religious or community principles. The background highlights the underreporting of these crimes, particularly within certain communities in the UK, with women being the primary victims. The study aims to assess the prevalence of honour killing as gender-based violence, with objectives including exploring its various aspects, its connection to gender-based violence, and recommending ways to reduce its prevalence. The conceptual framework outlines the research methodology, including a case study approach, interpretivism philosophy, qualitative research, and a deductive approach using secondary data. The literature review will delve into the meaning and causes of honour killing, as well as its prevalence as gender-based violence in the UK. The essay structure includes an introduction, literature review, discussion, and conclusion, providing a comprehensive analysis of the topic.

HONOUR KILLINGS

Acknowledgement
First of all, I would like to thank my teacher _____ for giving me this opportunity to
conduct a research on such an interesting topic. It helped me in enhancing my existing
knowledge on stated subject matter. I extend my sincere gratitude to or head of the department to
always guiding us on the path of success.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to my parents who always directly or indirectly
helps me in every research project I prepare. In the end, I would like to thank my friends and
seniors for helping me out in making this project a successful one.

Abstract
The main aim of research is to critically assess the prevalence of honour killing as a
gender-based violence in UK. Hence, the whole investigation focuses upon ascertaining the
concept of honour killing considering to be a gender-based violence. In order to conduct rigorous
research on subject matter, secondary type of analysis has been conducted so as to ascertain and
critical the opinions of various researchers. Honour killing, which can also be known as shame
killing, is a homicide of a member of the family due to the dishonour or shame that has been
brought by the individual. It is also performed for punishing the individual who has violated the
principles of religion or community. In the end, it has been recommended that Understanding the
factors of risk and helping people to fight with the unjustifiable practice can help in
strengthening the condition of females.

Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................1
1.1 Overview................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Background of the research...................................................................................................1
1.3 Aim of the study....................................................................................................................3
1.4 Objectives of the research......................................................................................................3
1.5 Significance of the study.......................................................................................................4
1.6 Conceptual framework...........................................................................................................4
1.7 Dissertation structure.............................................................................................................5
This chapter needs some work and reorganising. You have sections which aren't necessary and
you aren't really exploring the reason for the dissertation...............................................................5
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW.........................................................................................6
2.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................6
2.2 Meaning of honour killing.....................................................................................................6
2.3 Causes of honour killing........................................................................................................8
2.3 Various aspects of honour killing..........................................................................................9
2.3 Prevalence of honour killing as gender-based violence in UK...........................................11
CHAPTER 3: DISCUSSION........................................................................................................15
3.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................15
3.2 Thematic analysis................................................................................................................15
CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS...................................................19
4.1 Conclusion...........................................................................................................................19
4.2 Recommendations................................................................................................................20
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................22

Table of Figures
Figure 1: Honour Killings per 100 persons.....................................................................................2
Figure 2 Causes of gender inequality............................................................................................15

Topic: A critical assessment of honour killing as a gender-based violence
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Overview
Honour Killing, which is also known as shame killing, is an act of homicide done by
family members due to their beliefs that the victim has brought dishonour or shame to their
family. It is the act of violating the principles and traditions being set by the community or a
particular religion (Eisner and Ghuneim 2013). Usually, the common reason behind this killing is
refusal of arranged marriage and/or being in a relationship which is not approved by the family.
Other common reasons for honour killing are rape victims, homosexual relationship, renouncing
a faith etc. - it might be good to say what particular communities/religions are most likely to
undertake honour killings - and therefore I presume the focus of your dissertation - this at the
moment seems to make the assumption that every community carries out such acts
The present researches have stated honour killing as a criminal act that is performed by the
family member. There is high possibility that members of extended family tend to plan the act
together and sometimes with the help of family council following some orthodox traditions
where only eldest of the family can take any type of decision on behalf of the family. It is the act
being performed to control certain behaviour that has been conducted by one member of the
family (Grewal 2013). Another key aspect that is considered while performing this act is
importance of reputation which has been defamed by the individual. The family members
belonging to an orthodox set up, enjoys the thinking of not attracting any negative stigma in front
of the society or to the community to which they belong (Dyer 2015). Losing social status is the
biggest fear which compels them to indulge in honour killing activities. The act is quite common
in the families who are attached to tight knit communities.
1.2 Background of the research
The present research focuses on gender-based violence within the family having a strong
emphasis on honour killing. The criminalistics approaches of honour killing have direct relation
to the concept of honour and shame within the patriarchal societies with confined thinking.
Honour Killing is often viewed as a traditional or cultural practice which lies outside the scope of
law and is generally treated as illegal (Doğan 2013). As per the views of Doğan 2013, honour
killing must be treated as a violation of human rights and not as a religious or cultural practice.
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Honour Killing comes under the category of one such crime that is under documented and
under reported. Hence, it is difficult to reach to the specific data of the crime in UK (Mosquera
2013). Main reason of this is that, the family does not disclose it to the police, to protect the
reputation of their community. They protect the victims who are in the form of mother, sisters,
aunts and other female victims. It has been ascertained that its prevalence has generally been
found in Muslim communities in the UK who are increasingly facing pressure due to religious
beliefs from the orthodox families belonging to Muslim community (Payton 2014). Women
remain as the majority of the victims and hence honour crime is predominantly considered to
take place within women. The study conducted by Dogan (2013) indicated that domestic
violence and honour killing are not isolated practices but considered to be a part of existence in
current social culture whose prevalence have directly being linked to culture, honour, ethnicity
and religious superiority.
Honour killing is represented as an indigenous phenomenon which is generally carried out
by third and fourth generation immigrants who are raised and being educated in UK but are not
considered to be of UK origin due to their belongingness of roots to other country (Doğan 2014).
The western style, education and current societal norms do not have any impact on their
indigenous thinking and adoption of practices. Women are considered to be virtuous by birth and
hence the same is required to be maintained by their family members in whole of their life. Any
stain that is noticed on chastity of a women is considered to be dishonour on shame for the male
members of the family or the society (Elakkary et.al. 2014).
Further, women working immorally is considered to bring disrespect to the religion and
honour killing is attempted on them so as to solve the issue by her family members or
prosecutors of the religion. Hence, the majority of victims of honour killing are women. The
below graph shows that in every 100 victims of honour killing, 75 are women and 25 are men.
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Figure 1: Honour Killings per 100 persons
(Source: 'Honour crime': 11,000 UK cases recorded in five years, 2015) - Author and date
The statistics for the UK indicate that more than 11,744 cases were recorded as honour
killings between 2010 and 2014 (REF). The crime is usually focussed on women and can also
include practices like beatings, abductions and murder. These acts are commonly performed to
defend the honour or respect of the family and practices can also include forced marriage and
genital mutilation (Fellmeth 2012).
1.3 Aim of the study
The aim of this study is to critically assess the prevalence of honour killing as gender-
based violence in UK - not sure what you mean by this - I realise it is your title so perhaps a little
more clarity would help; why is it important to see it as a gender based crime for example
1.4 Objectives of the research
The objectives of the research are:
 To assess various aspects of honour killing
 To explore various aspects of gender-based violence and its connection to honour killing in
UK.
 To recommend various ways that can be used in reducing the prevalence of honour killing
based upon the literature collected.
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1.5 Significance of the study
The present research on the topic of honour killing will help in devising adequate amount
of knowledge regarding the subject matter. It will also be helpful in analysing various case
studies and incidents that could have taken place in various parts of the world. - to do what? it is
not clear how this is the 'significance of your study' and you could actually remove it as it isn't
really needed. Your word count would be better used in the Introduction exploring and
discussing the communities in the research and some of the cultural reasons that honour killing
may occur
1.6 Conceptual framework
Conceptual framework helps in giving a brief knowledge regarding the research
methodology that will be followed by the researcher in conducting the research. Hence, the
following research methodology will be used in the present research of honour killing: Research design: Case study approach will be used by the researcher to conduct the
research. Various cases will be analysed to reach to effective results in a particular opinion
for the present study of honour killing (Chesler, 2015). Research philosophy: Interpretivism research philosophy will be used so as to understand
the theoretical aspects of honour killing. Research type: Qualitative research type will be used by the scholar which will help in
deriving concrete knowledge regarding the subject matter. It will help in reaching to an
effective analysis and thereby appropriate results. Qualitative research is usually adopted to
gain adequate understanding regarding motivations, reasons and opinions so as to build
understating regarding subject matter. Research approach: Since, existing theories will be analysed in the present research. Hence,
deductive approach will be used by the researcher to conduct the study. Deductive approach
is concerned with development of hypothesis based upon the existing theories and design the
research strategy based upon it. Data collection: Secondary type of data will be used to collect the data regarding honour
killing. It will be collected through books, journals and online format (Gill, 2013). Data analysis: Critical analysis of the opinion of the researcher will help in deriving the
results for the study. Further, thematic technique will be used where themes will be
formulated to analyse the collected data.
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1.7 Dissertation structure
It is important that the research must be conducted in a specific format that can help reader
in understanding the crux of the study. Hence, the structure of dissertation will flow in the
following format:
 Chapter 1: Introduction: It is first and foremost chapter of the dissertation which helps in
addressing aims, objectives and rationale of the research.
 Chapter 2: Literature review: It is the chapter where critical revision of researcher that have
already been conducted by other researchers. This helps in reaching to adequate amount of
secondary data through books, journals, news articles and online sources. Chapter 3: Discussion:The chapter helps in discussing the facts and figures that have already
been drawn and a comparison is made to the literature collected from secondary sources
(Ahmed, 2013). Chapter 4: Conclusion: It is the last chapter of dissertation where the crux of whole research
is included through a conclusive remark.
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CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
The literature review for this study will help in the understanding of various aspects that
are related to honour killing (Mulvihill and et.al., 2018).. For example, meaning of honour
killing, various reasons due to which it is actually adopted, etc The chapter will also discuss
various concepts that helps in proving the stated aim related to its prevalence as gender-based
violence in UK. Reports suggest that majority of the honour killing related cases are found to be
on women only. Hence, the core concentration will be made on periphery of UK. The opinions
of authors will be critically compared to develop appropriate knowledge of the topic. Various
sources used to conduct the literature review included books, journals, online sources,
newspaper articles etc. It will help in judging the cases related to honour killing that took place in
UK. Moreover, laws, rules and regulations related to the same prevailing in UK will also be
assessed.
2.2 Meaning of honour killing
According to Payton (2014) honour killing, which can also be known as shame killing, is a
homicide of a member of the family due to the dishonour or shame that has been brought by the
individual. It can be related to marriage or love affair against the will of the family or indulging
in any type of homosexual relationship, not respecting and following the procedures of religion,
etc. It is also performed for punishing the individual who has violated the principles of religion
or community. The common reason for this act is refusal of the individual to enter into an
arranged marriage. Other reasons that can be related to honour killing are being a victim of rape,
dressing in a manner which seems to be inappropriate, indulging in a homosexual relationship,
renouncement of faith etc. (REF). It is mainly committed by male family members on female
family members held responsible for bringing dishonour to the family. A woman is the main
target of this act for varied reasons such as seeking divorce from the husband, victim of sexual
assault, etc. However, Roberts (2014) notes that honour killing is considered to be a
criminalistics nature of crime where various family members mutually decide to perform this act.
The main aim of conducting honour killing is to prevent the happening of same type of event in
near future. The step is taken to prevent the occurrence of the situation in the family again. It
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ultimately controls the acts of other family members with respect to sexuality and marriage
(REF).
The cultural feature of honour killing is quite complex where violence is used to control
the action of people belonging to a particular community or family. People take it as a dishonour
if a female in the family wants to marry someone of her own choice. The case can be of
belongingness to other religion as well. In such cases, elders of the family happen to think that
the decision will be benefits for other females of the family and will not opt for taking same step
in near future.
According to Gill et al. (2014) there are certain specific triggers that are related to honour
killing. One such element is refusal to participate in an arranged marriage which can often leads
to honour killing activity. If the marriage has already been arranged by the family and not
proceeding with the act of having love affair outside, the situation may bring disrespect to the
family. In that case, the individual may have been involved in a relationship with some other
individual. To deal with the situation, honour killing is attempted by the family member with the
aim to save the honour of the family (REF). Another element is seeking divorce, where the
woman wants to get separated from her husband without his permission can also be a trigger for
honour killing (REF). The act of divorce is considered as an insult to the family members and her
husband. Disclosing the marital issue in the family is considered to be dishonour to the family.
However, in contrast Khan et al. (2018) note that allegations and rumour about a female
member can also be considered enough to tarnish the reputation of a family. In this case, honour
killing is attempted on women so as save the respect in the community and protect future
generation from committing same type of crime. A victim of rape is another important element
that can lead to honour killing in certain family. Females tend to face violence from families and
relatives due to their exposure to rape. It leads to murdering or killing the female who have faced
the same. Another element of honour killing has strong relation to homosexuality, which also
comes under the reason to conduct honour killing. Homosexuality and having relationship with
the same sex is regarded as inappropriate gender expressions which can raise suspicion to this
act. - you are just listing the various aspects but not exploring them or discussing them fully - nor
are you supporting them with relevant sources - there is no theory or analysis in your discussions
and this needs to be worked on
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