MixTogether & Friends

This is the inaugural post on MixTogether & Friends,

from Jasvinder Sanghera of Karma Nirvana.

I am very happy to be writing the inaugural post for this new blog, MixTogether & Friends.

My hope is that this blog will generate and improve discussion about the real issues of honour abuse and forced marriages in Britain. I hope that the realities of how these abuses are blighting the lives of many will inspire action.

With that aim in mind, my opening post is an invitation to join a crucial campaign.

The Honour Network, a phoneline that supports victims and survivors of forced marriage and honour based violence, is under threat of having its government funding cut.

I am simply asking you to add your name to a petition on the Number 10 website, requesting that the Honour Network helpline continue to be funded. If you could spread the word to your respective online networks that would also be a real help.

We do not have any funding now to sustain the line, having previously received funding from the Home Office and Forced Marriage Unit.

Despite my pleas for support to the Government we have found ourselves in the position of having to eventually close the life-line that many people call in need of Karma Nirvana’s support.

The fact is that the line has been funded by kind public donations  for the past 6 months despite the Governments commitment to supporting the Honour Network.

This is a truly progressive campaign that should appeal to people of all political persuasions. If you would like to read my detailed account of the background to this campaign, please click ‘more’ below.

Thank you,

Jasvinder Sanghera

Karma Nirvana.

Background to the petition

The Government Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) initially funded the Honour Network to the tune of £15,000 to develop it. That meant we could recruit and train volunteers to take calls. Then we got money to produce posters and run the line- another £15,000.

We could not have imagined the number of calls the line would receive: from victims, those at risk and also from agencies seeking advice. I have since gone to meet Vernon Coaker MP and the heads of the FMU on more than one occasion, to brief them about the line.

Last year, around October time, the Head of the FMU and Vernon Coaker asked the Home Office to give us interim funding. We were told that this funding was a one off, and that no more would be forthcoming! That funding allowed the line to continue until April of this year. I met Vernon Coaker again and informed the FMU of the situation regarding funding. The Head of the FMU, and Commander Steve Allen (who has the Police lead on honour crimes) both came to Karma Nirvana and I gave them a presentation on the progress of the Honour Network. Again with both people I have asked for help to support the line, to no avail.

I have been pointed towards the Domestic Program Fund, a pot of money set aside to help victims of domestic violence. Bear in mind this fund is £80k for the whole of the UK! However, Karma Nirvana were told clearly that the funds would not be available to any agency that has applied before, which we have.

The honour Network line has been funded by kind public donations for the last 6 months. It is volunteers who answer the calls, and we cannot even give them the right support and training.

The end of the line?

So as things stand, the line will be switched off within 3 months if not funded. We have no choice. Despite the recommendation of the Home Affairs Select Committee on Forced Marriage and Honour Crimes, we have not seen any commitment that the Honour Network line will be sustained.

I am still waiting to hear from Vernon Coaker since our meeting about this situation. I do not want to shame him, but someone has to do something.

The Government have a moral and social responsibility to support victims and increase the capacity of agencies, who have very few places to call for help when dealing with these cases.

The future.

We have a new civil law remedy in this country to support those who have horrific experiences, we have statutory guidance for police and medical professionals, we have training as the FMU are now undertaking an E-Learning package for this area of work, but what about the support?

Victims and those at risk require emotional, practical assistance, 7 days a week. The Government acknowledge the need to ensure the right response, so as not to put any victim at risk. The Honour Network line provides this and more.

We cannot afford to let this vital service disappear, as it will impact on the lives of the most vulnerable in our society. Where honour based violence happens men and women are silenced: losing this line will further silence them, and send out totally the wrong message.

Please do sign the petition now.

Thank you.