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# Questions over true scale of honour-based abuse as Suffolk cases drop
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/questions-over-true-scale-of-honour-based-abuse-as-suffolk-cases-drop/
- Published: 2024-11-26T10:05:56.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-16T15:29:23.000Z
- Description: While Suffolk has reported fewer honour-based abuse cases, experts warn the decrease might mask a concerning trend of under-reporting and misclassification of these serious crimes.
- Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams
- Tags: News, Policing, Crime, #article, Suffolk Constabulary, #Import 2026-03-16 14:46

**Why it matters**: The drop in reported cases comes as national charity [Karma Nirvana](https://karmanirvana.org.uk/?ref=ipswich.co.uk) reveals a 13% rise in calls to their helpline, raising questions about whether victims are getting the support they need.

**By the numbers**:

- 20 honour-based abuse offences recorded in Suffolk last year
- Down from 27 cases the previous year
- National figures show 2,755 cases across England and Wales
- Karma Nirvana handled 2,962 cases in the same period

**Behind the decline**: Experts point to a new police assessment tool as a potential factor in the decreased numbers. The Domestic Abuse Risk Assessment (DARA) tool, which replaced the DASH assessment system, lacks specific questions to help officers identify honour-based abuse cases, according to experts.

"This discrepancy suggests possible under-reporting or misclassification by police, rather than a genuine reduction in HBA incidents," says Karma Nirvana in their analysis of the 2024 Home Office data.

**The bigger picture**: His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services highlighted significant deficiencies in how police handle these cases back in 2015\. Nearly a decade later, forces still struggle with standardised definitions, insufficient training, and gaps in data collection.

**What is honour-based abuse?**: It involves crimes or incidents committed to protect or defend the "honour" of a family or community. This can include forced marriage, domestic abuse, sexual violence, and threats to kill.

**What's being called for**: Karma Nirvana is pushing for:

- A statutory definition of honour-based abuse
- Expanded data collection including age, gender, and familial context
- Mandatory specialised training for police and frontline workers
- Changes to risk assessment tools to include HBA-specific screening questions

**The bottom line**: While Suffolk's numbers show a decline, experts warn this may not reflect reality. The gap between police figures and helpline data suggests many victims could be falling through the cracks.

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