S3 Ep05 - Honour-Based Violence in the Family Courts: Protecting Vulnerable Individuals

Domestic Abuse
Written By Lisa Edmunds

Honour-based violence (HBV), forced marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remain hidden forms of abuse, often intersecting with family law cases. While the family courts play a crucial role in protecting victims, many practitioners still struggle to identify and navigate these complex issues. We speak with Afrah Qassim, Founder and CEO of Savera UK, a Merseyside-based national charity working to end 'honour'-based abuse (HBA) and harmful practices. 

In this episode, we break down: 

— What constitutes honour-based violence and how it manifests in family law cases 

— The legal frameworks & protections in the UK (e.g., FGM Protection Orders, Forced Marriage Protection Orders) 

— Warning signs and risk factors for practitioners to be aware of 

— The challenges of gathering evidence & ensuring victim safety in court 

— How legal professionals can provide effective and culturally-sensitive support 

Whether you're a family law practitioner, safeguarding professional or someone wanting to understand these critical issues, this episode is essential listening.

Lisa Edmunds

Lisa Edmunds is one of the North-West’s leading family law barristers. She brings over two decades of experience and expertise in high-level and complex cases. Lisa has the ability to bring strategic planning and goal-setting skills to cases and has proven value as a strategic advisor. She has a reputation for being tough and tenacious in the courtroom however, recognises that all clients and cases are different and sometimes alternative approaches are needed to achieve the end result. Lisa has a proven ability to work collaboratively within a multi- disciplinary group. Lisa is direct access qualified and also offers Early Neutral Evaluation appointments.

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S3 Ep06 - Roma & Traveller Families in the Family Courts: Challenges, Misconceptions & Justice
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S3 Ep04 - Lisa Edmunds in the Hot Seat: Grit, Growth & Disrupting the Bar