HARM - Honour Abuse Research Matrix Network Launches

Thursday 5th July 2018 saw the launch of the much needed HARM – The Honour Abuse Research Matrix Network at the University of Central Lancashire.

Headed by Dr. Roxanne Khan (Director of HARM) the launch event featured speakers who are tackling honour abuse in communities across the UK.

HARM is an innovative, multi-disciplinary global network. A live matrix that will allow members to easily share ideas, form collaborative partnerships, discuss topics, disseminate literature or news, influence policy and develop new strategies in the fight against honour-based abuse, violence, killings and forced marriage.

I delivered a thought provoking lecture entitled “Religious homophobia: There is no excuse”, arguing that if the purpose of religion is to help make us better human beings; to help us be more loving; and to help us become a stronger, more understanding society… then there is no place for homophobia in religion. It represents the very opposite of what religion is for.

HARM Ambassadors

On the day it was announced that I will be joining the HARM network as one of their founding Ambassadors. I look forward to working with many of the members of the network to share knowledge and techniques for tackling so called honour abuse.

Featured speakers included

Nazir Afzal, OBE – Keynote address
Dr. Rachael L. Aplin
– Policing HBA: domestic abuse, child protection or a ‘culturally’ complex crime?
Faeeza Vaid, Muslim Women’s Network UK
– Using faith & culturally sensitive approaches to challenge harmful practices
Matt Mahmood-Ogston
– Religious homophobia: There is no excuse

Free research from HARM:

‘Honour’ abuse: the experience of South Asians who identify as LGBT in North West England
Khan, R., Hall, B. & Lowe, M. (2017, December).
Summary report prepared for Lancashire Constabulary, HARM: Honour Abuse Research Matrix, UCLan, UK.