Faith Contacts
Support Services and Contacts
The following organisations offer confidential support and guidance to members of faith communities and others affected by specific faith issues.
- Support Services
- CHOICE Helpline
- Ben Hoare Bell, Solicitors
- Forced Marriage Unit
- Further Contacts
- EMTAS
Support Services
CHOICE
This is a police crisis helpline for those wishing to report Honour Based Violence and forced marriage issues. The helpline is not exclusively for victims: anyone who is concerned that a family member, friend or colleague is being affected may call.
Honour based violence (HBV) is a crime or incident which has, or may have been, committed to protect or defend the so-called 'honour' of a family and community. HBV is a fundamental abuse of human rights. It is a collection of practices used to control behaviour within families protecting perceived cultural or religious beliefs and so-called 'honour'. HBV happens when perpetrators feel someone has dishonoured the family and community by stepping outside behaviour accepted by that community. HBV can be distinguished from other forms of violence, as it's often committed with some degree of approval and collusion from family and community members.
Northumbria Police recognises HBV is a human rights violation contrary to the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998 and that HBV involves criminal offences being committed contrary to the laws and freedoms of the United Kingdom.Northumbria Police will support and protect victims and witnesses and ensure any offences identified are fully investigated.
In December 2008 Northumbria Police joined with Durham and Cleveland Police to provide a 24-hour crisis helpline called 'CHOICE' for victims of HBV and forced marriage. The helpline is being run by staff who have received specialist training in dealing with calls from anyone reporting HBV and forced marriage issues.
CHOICE Helpline: 0800 5999 365
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Ben Hoare Bell, Solicitors
Ben Hoare Bell is a firm offering support, advice and representation to victims of Honour Based Violence and Forced Marriage.
web: www.benhoarebell.co.uk/
tel: (0191) 224 6789
e-mail: Chris McCurley
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Forced Marriage Unit
This is part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Their website contains a lot of useful advice and guidance:
www.fco.gov.uk/en/fco-in-action/nationals/forced-marriage-unit/
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Further Contacts
There are some organisations which make reference to faith contacts, often indirectly, as part of their 'Diversity' or 'Faiths, Beliefs, Values and Community Cohesion' agenda. The following may be of additional use when trying to contact, or engage with, faith communities.
EMTAS
EMTAS stands for Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service. We help schools and families with access, attendance and achievement for their children. This covers a wide range of professional help such as the induction of new pupils, advice on pedagogy and cultural issues to schools, resources, dealing with racism and equality and diversity issues and offering training to school staff and others involved with ethnic minority groups.
Not every authority offers this support though most have someone in a department somewhere who deals with some of these areas.
Durham EMTAS
Contact: Nicole Quayle
Broom Cottages Primary School
Ferryhill
Durham
DL17 8AN
tel.: 01740 656 998
mob.: 07789 396 042
e-mail: Nicole Quayle
Durham EMTAS recently published "Out and About: A resource to support RE, Citizenship and Race Equality", and a PDF copy can be found below.
Out and About (98Mb file).
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Other organisations are being consulted, and will be added as we collect their details.