14 Jul 2015
Police service backs Day of Memory for Britain's Lost Women
Today (June 14), charity Karma Nirvana and Cosmopolitan magazine - with cross-party support - launch a national day of remembrance for all those women who have suffered and died through honour-based abuse. This is what would have been the birthday of Shafilea Ahmed, who was murdered by her parents in 2003, aged 17, in an honour-based attack. The NPCC lead on honour-based violence, Commander Mak Chishty, has spoken of the police service's support for the day and our determination to eradicate this awful crime.
Commander Chishty said:
“I would like to pay tribute to Karma Nirvana and Cosmopolitan for using their influence to shine more light on the topic of honour-based abuse. This is a topic which the police service regards as a heinous crime which we will robustly tackle – with the aim of total eradication - through victim-centred investigations and operations to tackle offenders.
"We will work with affected communities and other partners to make sure that we never again see another tragedy like the murder of Shafilea. My colleagues and I are committed to the idea that true honour involves love and respect for the welfare of our sons and daughters and a celebration of our diverse cultures that, nevertheless, remains within the rule of law.
"I am proud to be associated with this Day of Remembrance and know that colleagues around the country are too and will be using it to raise awareness in their communities of the scourge of honour-based abuse and give victims and survivors the confidence to come forward and report these crimes to the police.”
ENDS
Contact information
Communications office
By phone: 0800 538 5058
By email: press.office@npcc.police.uk