Ellie Reeves says stronger prosecutions are vital to restore confidence for victims of honour-based abuse
The Solicitor General has warned that victims of ‘honour’-based abuse have too often been failed by the criminal justice system, calling for stronger prosecutions and closer collaboration across agencies to improve protection for women and girls.
Speaking after a national multi-agency conference on honour-based abuse held in London on 3 February, Ellie Reeves MP described honour-based abuse as one of the most complex forms of violence against women and girls. She said too many victims had been let down and stressed the need to see more cases progress through the justice system.
The conference brought together police, prosecutors, government officials and specialist services to examine how barriers to reporting and prosecution can be reduced. It was hosted by the Crown Prosecution Service, the Home Office and the National Police Chiefs’ Council.
Reeves said the government was committed to tackling violence against women and girls and to strengthening the criminal justice response to honour-based abuse. She emphasised that partnership working across the system was essential to ensure cases are properly supported, move through the courts and improve victims’ confidence in reporting crimes.
Her comments followed testimony from Huja, a survivor of female genital mutilation whose name has been changed to protect her identity. Huja spoke directly to senior leaders about the lifelong physical and psychological harm caused by honour-based abuse and the cultural pressures that often prevent victims from seeking help.
The CPS has highlighted that honour-based abuse can involve crimes such as domestic and sexual abuse, forced marriage and female genital mutilation, frequently committed by family members or within close-knit communities. While these offences are illegal in England and Wales, they remain significantly underreported.
CPS data shows that in the 12 months ending September 2025, charges were authorised against 114 suspects flagged under the honour-based abuse monitoring system. Prosecutors acknowledge that this figure is likely to represent only a fraction of the true scale of offending.
Reeves said improving outcomes for victims depended on agencies working together more effectively. She underlined the importance of building confidence so that survivors feel able to come forward, knowing they will be supported and taken seriously.
The government has said it is introducing a new legal definition aimed at ensuring victims receive appropriate protection and that perpetrators are brought to justice. This approach forms part of a wider commitment to halve violence against women and girls within the next decade.
By strengthening cooperation between police, prosecutors, government departments and specialist organisations, agencies hope to reduce the obstacles that prevent reporting, increase prosecutions and ensure that survivors like Huja are better protected in the future.