Honour based abuse: the response by professionals to vulnerable adult investigations
| Pages | 239-250 |
| Date | 08 October 2018 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JACPR-09-2017-0320 |
| Published date | 08 October 2018 |
| Author | Rachael L. Aplin |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Criminology & forensic psychology,Aggression, conflict & peace,Sociology,Gender studies,Gender violence,Political sociology, policy & social change,Social conflicts,War/peace |
Honour based abuse: the response by
professionals to vulnerable adult
investigations
Rachael L. Aplin
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to examine responses by police and Adult Social Care to
honour based abuse (HBA) victims who have a diagnosed or perceived vulnerability, such as a physical
disability or mental health issue. The aim is to improve professional practice in ensuring vulnerable victims
are safeguarded.
Design/methodology/approach –Findings are drawn from 100 HBA investigations (2012-2014) derived
from classified police electronic records and interviews with 15, predominantly specialist, public protection
police officers in one UK force.
Findings –HBA against vulnerable adults is an obscure crime area. In cases of diagnosed vulnerability
(3 per cent), police officers wrongly attributed “freewill”and choice to vulnerable adults who legally lacked the
capacity to consent to marriage. Conversely, in 9 per cent of cases where victims were depressed and/or
self-harming, perpetrators exaggerated the poor mental health of victims in order to discredit them to law
enforcement. Professionals illogically latched onto perpetrator explanations and in turn undermined and
problematised the victims.
Research limitations/implications –There is limited access to data on vulnerable adult abuse, making this
an under researched area of crime.
Practical implications –Failing to undertake risk assessments, or record whether the victim is legally
vulnerable should lead to a review of police practice. An evaluation of joint working arrangements is necessary
concerning which agency (police or Adult Social Care) should take primacy.
Social implications –Vulnerable adult victims were retained in risk predicaments alongside perpetrating
family members.
Originality/value –Police officers suggesting vulnerable adults can “consent”to marriage is a new concept,
along with issues of goal displacement which illustrates avoidance behaviours by professionals and under
protection by the state.
Keywords Mental health, Disability, Policing, Honour based abuse, Self-harming, Vulnerable adult abuse
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
This paper focuses largely on vulnerable adult experiences of honour based abuse (HBA).
It explores the treatment of victims by perpetrating relatives, and the interactions between
perpetrators, victims and professionals (police and social services).
Extant research suggests that vulnerable mentally ill and/or disabled people are at particular risk of
being forced into a marriage (Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC, 2015); Home Office:
Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 2016; Lakhani, 2008; Valios, 2008). The National UK figures for
forced marriages of vulnerable adults in 2015 stood at 12 per cent (141 cases) (Home Office: Foreign
and Commonwealth Office, 2016).
Under section 16 of Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act (1999), those legally defined as
“vulnerable”are children under the age of 18 years, those with a mental disorder (defined under
Received 28 September 2017
Revised 8 November 2017
9 November 2017
13 November 2017
Accepted 16 November 2017
Rachael L. Aplin is Senior
Lecturer at Leeds Beckett
University, Leeds, UK.
DOI 10.1108/JACPR-09-2017-0320 VOL. 10 NO. 4 2018, pp.239-250, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1759-6599
j
JOURNAL OF AGGRESSION, CONFLICTAND PEACE RESEARCH
j
PAGE239
To continue reading
Request your trial