A demonstration led by Savera UK to end honour-based violence towards women is held at Liverpool Museum

Women march in protest of 'harmful practice' that causes 'blinding pain'

by · Liverpool Echo

Charity bosses believe some victims may be too scared to seek help

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Women united in a rally against deadly "honour-based abuse" following an alarming rise in the number of reported victims. Merseyside-based charity Savera UK, which helps survivors of harmful practices such as forced marriage, female genital mutilation and conversion therapy, has seen an increase of almost 36% in new referrals to its service.

Joined by Zonta International, a charity opposing child marriage and gender-based violence, campaigners marched through Williamson Square today, November 23, with placards reading "End forced marriage", "End virginity testing", and "End HBA". Another demonstration will take place at Lime Street Station on Monday for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

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Today's event was led by the drums of Katumba and the Wavertree Community Gospel Choir. Concluding at the Museum of Liverpool, speeches were given by Savera UK CEO Afrah Qassim, Diane Jeans of Zonta UK, and Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell.

  1. Charity CEO speaks on dangers of honour-based abuse

    Savera UK CEO and Founder Afrah Qassim said: “While a national decrease in reports of HBA offences appears positive, for us as a frontline grassroots organisation, the latest data is deeply concerning, and there has never been a greater need for us to work to raise awareness.
    “What is being reported by police contradicts what we are seeing on the ground, which is actually increasing referrals for HBA and harmful practices such as FGM and forced marriage. HBA remains a local issue that happens here and can affect anyone.
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  2. Victims may be too scared to come forward

    “We believe that the decrease may be indicative of challenges such as fear or reluctance to report HBA offences to police out of fear for reprisal or consequences; the fear of not being believed or the issues not being understood, or the high risk of harm that is characteristic of HBA and harmful practices not being recognised.”
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  3. Woman suffered painful FGM procedure when she was 10

    One mum, Khatra Paterson, shared her story with the ECHO ahead of the march. The 55-year-old was just 10 when her parents sent her to Djibouti, on the Horn of Africa, to undergo female genital mutilation. She said: "I was scared and didn't know what was going on, so I tried to fight, but they restrained me.
    "Then I felt a blinding pain in my privates. I didn't know what they were doing. I screamed for my mum, and one of the women said to me, 'This is what your mother wanted.'"
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  1. FGM "offers no health benefits" to victims

    According to the World Health Organisation, FGM offers no health benefits. It can lead to several severe complications such as bleeding, problems urinating, cysts, infections, complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths.
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  2. "My mum said to me 'this is just what happens to girls'."

    Khatra said: "Less than a week later, I was on a plane home, still in agony and bleeding all over my seat. Another week passed, and my wound became infected, and I needed antibiotics. It was what I can only describe as a brutal violation of my body when parts of my genitalia were taken away with a blade and no anaesthesia. The pain of that day is forever etched in my memory."
    “My mum said to me 'This is just what happens to girls'. After that, it was never mentioned again. I later learned my mother had grown up being taught women were unclean if they hadn't been 'cut' and she believed I would not have a future or get married if I wasn't cut too."
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  3. Another demonstration and candle-lit vigil next week

    A demonstration for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls will take place outside Lime Street Station on Monday, November 25, from noon until 3pm. This will be followed by a candle-lit vigil to remember local women and girls who have tragically lost their lives to male violence, started at 5.30pm outside Liverpool Crown Court in Derby Square.
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