TRAINING FOR PROFESSIONALS 

Women and girls from Middle Eastern, Afghan and other minority communities may be hard to reach, and their circumstances may be complicated by their level of English, their immigration status and the types of violence that they may experience. IKWRO can provide training and guidance to professionals to help organisations and individuals gain knowledge and develop policies and strategies to provide the best response regarding harmful practices and Domestic Violence. We are also available to provide advice on individual cases.

If you are interested in setting up training in your workplace please contact us.

IKWRO provides training on Forced Marriage and “Honour” Based Violence for the CAADA training for IDVA’s. We also, in partnership with CAADA, train Young People’s Advocates on harmful practices including “Honour” Based Violence, Forced Marriage, Child Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation.

ADVICE FOR PROFESSIONALS 

If you are working with a Middle Eastern or Afghan woman or girl who is affected by “Honour” Based Violence. Forced Marriage, Child Marriage, Female Genital Mutilation or Domestic Violence you can contact us for advice or to make a referral.  We can help you by advising and by bringing cultural knowledge and language support where needed.

Basic dos and don’ts

Under UK law “Honour” Based Violence, Domestic Violence and Female Genital Mutilation are all crimes, and forcing someone into marriage is a civil offence.  You should not feel worried about appearing culturally insensitive.  Remember, you may be the woman or girl’s only chance to get help.

What you should do:

  • Believe what the girl or woman is saying.  It may seem unbelievable to you that families would force their daughters into marriage or would kill them for what seem like trivial transgressions, but it happens.
  • Listen to the woman or girl’s wishes.
  • Seek advice from the Community Safety Unit, Forced Marriage Unit or from a specialist organisation like IKWRO.
  • If dealing with a girl under the age of 18 refer to child protection procedures.
  • Reassure the victim about confidentiality.
  • Arrange a way for you to contact the victim discretely.

What you should not do:

  • Do not contact the family or attempt mediation.
  • Do not send the woman or girl back to her family.
  • Don’t assume the women in the family will protect the victim.
  • Do not use a family or community member as an interpreter – always use an independent and impartial interpreter.
  • Do not turn the woman or girl away as you may be her only chance to get help.

These are guidelines.  If you’re in any doubt call our advice line for help.

If you need our help you can contact us on the numbers to the right of this page.  You can also use our online referral form, but if you need our help urgently we recommend that you call us.

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