CUMBRIA Constabulary is raising awareness of honour based violence as part of International Women’s Day this Sunday (March 8).

The force described honour based violence as being a collection of practices which are used to control behaviour within families to protect perceived cultural and religious beliefs and/or honour.

This violence can occur when perpetrators perceive that a relative has shamed the family and/or community by breaking their honour code.

Condemning such violence, Cumbria Police said there is no honour in the commission of murder, rape, kidnap, and the many other acts, behaviour, and conduct, which make up violence in the name of 'so called honour'.

Detective Inspector Gemma Hannah, of the Public Protection Unit, said: “We have had no honour based violence incidents reported within Cumbria in recent times, however that does not mean that it does not or will not happen here.

"Honour based violence is something we treat very seriously, and will not be tolerated in Cumbria.

“Women are predominantly, but not exclusively the victims of so called ‘honour based violence’ which is used to assert male power in order to control female autonomy and sexuality.

"Crimes of so called honour can take many forms but those committed might include domestic abuse, child abuse, sexual or psychological abuse, forced marriage, kidnapping, and false imprisonment.

“Such violence cuts across all cultures, nationalities, faith groups, and communities."

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Police and Crime Commissioner Richard Rhodes said: “Honour-based violence is a particularly difficult crime to tackle as it tends to happen behind closed doors and victims are terrified of coming forward.

"We must raise awareness of this unacceptable behaviour and I would encourage anyone affected by this to come forward.”

Anyone who would like to report any incidents or has any concerns should call Cumbria Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

For more information visit www.cumbria.police.uk/honourbasedviolence