Leicestershire police offer 'honour' victims online help

Victims of so-called honour-based violence in Leicestershire are being offered a chance to get confidential advice via the internet.

The online chat forum has been organised by The Safer Leicester Partnership and the police.

It is aimed at both victims themselves and those who want to know more about dealing with "honour-based" abuse.

The force's domestic violence unit said using the internet allowed people easy and confidential access to support.

Confidence boost

Officers emphasised that "honour" violence - abuse a man or woman will suffer if they are deemed to bring shame upon their family or culture - affected a number of cultures and communities.

Meena Kumari, from the SAFE Project, a domestic abuse support service, said: "I have worked with a lot of victims of honour-based violence and found that they tend to suffer in silence.

"They are very often unaware of the wide variety of services and options available to them.

"This online chat forum will hopefully give them that little bit of confidence they need to talk about their problems."

The forum will be held on Thursday evening.