The Silent Struggle: Voices of Women Facing Honour-Based Violence and the Role of Swedish Social Services

Honour-based violence (HBV) represents a pervasive form of gendered oppression rooted in cultural traditions and patriarchal systems. It seeks to control and suppress individual agency, particularly for women and girls, in the name of preserving family or community “honour.” This article explores the narratives of young women in Sweden who have endured HBV, shedding light on their vulnerabilities, the systemic challenges they face, and the role of Swedish social services in providing support and relief.

HBV is not confined to a single culture, religion, or region; it transcends borders and manifests in various forms worldwide. At its core, HBV hinges on the belief that the behavior of women is intrinsically tied to the reputation of their families or communities. For the women subjected to these rigid norms, life is often characterized by a lack of autonomy and agency. They are controlled through restrictions on movement, clothing, education, and social interactions, with severe consequences, including violence, when these norms are violated.

In Sweden, a country that prides itself on gender equality and human rights, the existence of HBV underscores the challenges of integrating diverse populations with varying cultural norms. Estimates suggest that tens of thousands of women and girls in Sweden live under the shadow of HBV, facing threats such as forced marriage, female genital mutilation, and honour-related restrictions. While these numbers highlight the urgency of the issue, they also reveal the limitations of current systems in addressing such deeply ingrained cultural practices.

The study at the center of this discussion focuses on young women aged 18 to 25 who sought help from Swedish social services to escape the grip of HBV. Their narratives provide a vivid picture of the oppressive environments they left behind, as well as the struggles they encountered in their pursuit of freedom. The women described their lives as being tightly controlled by family members, with some recounting experiences of constant surveillance. One woman revealed how her every movement was tracked using bus schedules or even GPS devices, leaving her with no personal space or independence.

The pressure to conform to honour norms extended beyond the immediate family, involving the wider community as enforcers of these standards. Women shared stories of being mocked, shamed, or harassed by neighbors or acquaintances for minor acts of defiance, such as not wearing a veil or attending public swimming pools. These acts of resistance, though small, were seen as affronts to the family’s reputation and often triggered severe backlash.

The decision to seek help from social services was, for many, an act of desperation—a choice made in moments of extreme crisis. For some, this decision came after years of emotional and physical abuse, while others were driven to act by the fear of forced marriage or even death. However, reaching out for help was not without its challenges. The women described the immense psychological burden of breaking family ties, knowing they risked permanent estrangement and even violent retribution. One participant recounted how contacting social services led to threats against her life, as her family viewed her decision as the ultimate betrayal.

Swedish social services play a pivotal role in supporting individuals fleeing HBV, yet their effectiveness is often limited by systemic and cultural gaps. While many women expressed gratitude for the support they received, they also shared stories of frustration and disillusionment. Some women experienced delays in accessing services or felt that their situations were misunderstood by social workers unfamiliar with the complexities of HBV. Language barriers further exacerbated these challenges, with one woman describing how her inability to communicate effectively delayed the assistance she desperately needed.

The quality of placements in sheltered housing or foster families also varied significantly. While some women found solace and security in these environments, others experienced isolation and alienation. One woman compared her foster home to a cold, unwelcoming space, where her emotional needs were overlooked in favor of fulfilling basic physical requirements. She poignantly stated that she would have preferred to live in a refugee camp surrounded by loved ones than to endure the loneliness of her placement.

Despite these challenges, social services also provided life-changing support for many of the women. Thoughtful interventions, such as connecting women with peer networks or providing trauma-informed care, made a significant difference. One participant described the profound relief she felt when a social worker took her fears seriously and acted decisively to ensure her safety. Another woman, who had fled a forced marriage, recounted how social services not only provided her with protection but also helped her rebuild her life, describing the social workers as “angels” who gave her a second chance.

The broader societal response to HBV in Sweden, however, remains inadequate in addressing the root causes of this violence. Prevention and education efforts are critical in challenging the patriarchal norms that underpin HBV. Public awareness campaigns, school-based programs, and community engagement initiatives are essential tools in promoting gender equality and empowering individuals to assert their rights. Yet, these efforts must be coupled with robust support systems that prioritize the needs of survivors.

The study also highlighted the importance of recognizing the psychological toll of HBV on survivors. Many women grappled with feelings of guilt, loss, and identity crises as they navigated their new lives. The emotional strain of severing family ties was compounded by the challenges of integrating into a new cultural context. Social services must take a holistic approach to support, addressing not only the immediate safety concerns of survivors but also their long-term psychological and social needs.

Ultimately, the narratives of these women serve as a powerful testament to their resilience and courage. Their stories reveal the immense strength required to break free from oppressive environments and build independent lives. At the same time, they underscore the urgent need for systemic reforms to ensure that social services are equipped to meet the unique challenges of HBV. By listening to the voices of survivors and incorporating their experiences into policy and practice, Sweden can take meaningful steps toward eradicating HBV and supporting the rights and dignity of all individuals.

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Navigating Gender and Justice: Ideological Dilemmas in Scottish Social Work

Justice social work has long been a field where practitioners navigate a delicate balance between care and control, embedded within inherently gendered practices and structures. The historical association of social work as a “women’s profession” contrasts with the male-dominated spaces of probation and criminal justice interventions. This article explores the findings of a study examining how justice social workers (JSWs) in Scotland perceive and engage with gender in their work, highlighting the ideological dilemmas they encounter and offering a person-centered, intersectional approach as a way forward.

The study, rooted in feminist, intersectional, and post-structural frameworks, reveals that JSWs grapple with tensions surrounding gender neutrality versus the recognition of gender differences. These tensions are reflective of broader societal and institutional structures that influence their practice. Gender is frequently seen through the lens of societal constructs, fluid and diverse, yet often constrained by binary and essentialist narratives in practice.

Historically, justice social work has mirrored societal norms about gender. Early probation officers embodied prevailing ideas about appropriate behaviors for men and women. Male officers predominantly worked with male offenders on issues like theft and violence, while female officers focused on women’s offenses, such as infanticide and prostitution. The women’s liberation movement and subsequent feminist criminology challenged these approaches, advocating for gender-specific responses to women in the justice system. Despite these advances, the sector continues to wrestle with the gendered legacies of its past.

Contemporary justice social work in Scotland operates within a framework emphasizing equality, evidence-based practices, and trauma-informed approaches. The Scottish Government’s “Vision for Justice” outlines principles aimed at creating fairer, person-centered services while acknowledging the historical male-centric design of justice systems. However, the implementation of these principles often places JSWs in a position of reconciling competing discourses around equality and difference.

The study employed mixed methods, including a national survey and focus groups, to uncover how JSWs perceive gender in practice. Responses indicated a wide range of views, from assertions of gender neutrality to recognition of gender-specific needs. Some practitioners dismissed gender as irrelevant, while others acknowledged its significance in specific contexts, such as working with women or addressing offenses like domestic violence and sexual assault. These varied perspectives reveal the complexity of integrating gender into justice social work.

One recurring theme was the role of trauma in shaping gendered approaches. Women in the justice system are often survivors of trauma, leading to calls for gender-responsive practices that address their unique needs. However, the focus on women’s trauma has begun to extend to men, recognizing that many male clients also carry deep-seated trauma. This shift highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of how trauma intersects with gender in shaping offending behaviors and responses.

Another significant dilemma revolved around the suitability of practitioners based on their gender. Discussions emphasized the value of mixed-gender teams, particularly in addressing stereotypically gendered offenses like domestic violence. Yet, these arguments also raised concerns about reinforcing gender stereotypes or implying deficiencies in practitioners based on their gender. Practitioners navigated these dilemmas by framing their arguments around client needs and evidence-based practices, striving to balance gender-specific considerations with broader principles of equality.

The findings underscore the persistent challenges of addressing gender in justice social work. While some practitioners advocate for gender-neutral approaches, others highlight the importance of acknowledging gender differences to provide effective, equitable services. The study’s use of discourse analysis illuminated how JSWs construct and negotiate these positions, often reflecting broader ideological tensions within the field.

Moving forward, the article advocates for a person-centered, intersectional approach to gender in justice social work. Such an approach recognizes the multiplicity of factors shaping individuals’ experiences and identities, moving beyond binary and essentialist narratives. Intersectionality, as defined by Patricia Hill Collins, emphasizes the interplay of race, class, gender, and other social factors in constructing complex inequalities. By applying this lens, practitioners can better address the diverse needs of clients and navigate the tensions inherent in gendered practices.

Additionally, the integration of care ethics alongside principles of justice offers a pathway for more holistic, inclusive practices. Care ethics emphasizes the importance of tailoring interventions to meet individuals’ unique needs while recognizing the broader social and power dynamics at play. This perspective aligns with the profession’s commitment to social justice, providing a framework for addressing the enduring conflicts within justice social work.

Ultimately, the article calls for creating deliberative spaces where practitioners can reflect on and engage with the complexities of gender in their work. Such spaces are essential for fostering dialogue, learning, and innovation, enabling the profession to advance its commitment to equality and social justice. By embracing a person-centered, intersectional approach and integrating care ethics, justice social work can navigate its ideological dilemmas and contribute to more equitable and effective practices.

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Willow

Willow Service is in partnership between NHS Lothian and the City of Edinburgh Council and they work with a number of different partners to address the social, health and welfare needs of women in the criminal justice system.

Willow aims to:

Improving women’s health, wellbeing and safety
Enhancing women’s access to services.
Reducing offending behaviour.

They offer a wide range of services to women aged 18 years or older, resident in Edinburgh or returning to Edinburgh from custody. Women participate in a programme 2 days a week involving groupwork and key work support. The programme is designed to meet the specific needs of women and is delivered by a multi-disciplinary team. The team consists of criminal justice social workers, criminal justice support workers, a nurse, psychologists and a nutritionist. The team provides a range of interventions to:

assess all aspects of physical, mental and sexual health
support follow up where necessary
help cope with the effects of trauma and abuse
consider women’s pasts and support them in planning safely for the future
address offending behaviour
improve mental health and well being
develop new skills and coping strategies
address substance use problems
develop plans for education, training and employability
provide new social experiences and relationships
link women into services.

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