CPS Strengthens Legal Framework to Address Evolving Forms of Abuse
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has released updated guidance for prosecutors, specifically targeting "honour"-based abuse, with new inclusions for spiritual and immigration-related exploitation. This revision reflects growing concerns about emerging harmful practices and aims to provide a more robust legal approach to these complex cases.
Expanded Coverage of Abuse Types
The guidance now explicitly covers dowry abuse, immigration-related exploitation, and transnational marriage abandonment. In cases of domestic abuse, perpetrators may exploit a victim's immigration status by threatening deportation, withholding documents, controlling finances, or restricting access to support services. Transnational marriage abandonment involves deliberately taking a spouse abroad and leaving them without resources to return to the UK.
While these are not standalone offences, prosecutors are urged to apply existing domestic abuse and coercive behaviour guidelines when pursuing charges. Selma Taha, executive director of Southall Black Sisters, emphasised the importance of this recognition, stating that these patterns are often overlooked in frontline work with Black, minoritised, and migrant women.
Inclusion of Spiritual Abuse and Banned Practices
The CPS has also provided guidance on virginity testing and hymenoplasty, practices banned under the Health and Care Act 2022. Additionally, it addresses spiritual or ritualistic abuse linked to beliefs in witchcraft, spirit possession, or demonic influence. Such cases can involve violent exorcisms, beatings, starvation, forced ingestion of harmful substances, scapegoating, or even homicide, affecting children and vulnerable adults.
Government and CPS Commitment to Action
Ellie Reeves, the solicitor general, welcomed the strengthened guidance, highlighting the government's mission to halve violence against women and girls. Baljit Ubhey, CPS director of policy, noted that "honour"-based abuse is a serious crime with no place in society, and the updated guidance helps prosecutors identify patterns and take swift action.
In November, the CPS launched its five-year violence against women and girls strategy, training staff to recognise evolving abuse forms. Data shows a significant overlap, with 93.5% of "honour" crime charges linked to domestic abuse.
