”Att våga ställa frågan, att våga höra svaret”

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to map the situation for girls residing in women’s refuges because of honour violence. The questions posed are: What forms of abuse have been described to staff working with females in refuges for victims of honour violence? What are the deciding factors that lead to a girl leaving her family and being placed in a refuge? What are the help needs of girls residing in women’s refuges because of honour violence?

Five qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted amongst staff from five different women’s refuges specialising in honour violence. The results were analysed using Foucault’s theories on power, victim vs actor, victim processes along with a victimisation perspective. Previous research on honour cultures and honour violence is also used.

The results of the report indicate that girls residing in refuges specialising in honour violence have been exposed to four forms of violence: physical, psychological, sexual and social. The background to a girl leaving her family and being placed in a refuge can be divided up into acute situations and planned runaways. The report also shows that such girls require both practical and psychological help. Help and support needs to be long-term and include building up a new social network. This investigation implies further that previous experiences of sexual abuse amongst girls residing in refuges specialising in honour violence can be greater than that indicated by previous research.