Harmful practices

‘Harmful Practices’ is a term used to describe forced marriage, honour-based violence (HBV) and female genital mutilation (FGM), all of which disproportionately affect women and girls. Here’s a quick overview of what each of these practices mean:

A forced marriage is a marriage conducted without the valid consent of one or both people and pressure or abuse is used. It is an abuse of human rights, should not be confused with arranged marriage (where both parties willingly consent) and cannot be justified on any religious and cultural grounds.
So-called Honour-based violence is a crime or incident which has or may have been committed to protect or defend the honour of the family and or community. This can involve various degrees of violent practices including assault, false imprisonment, murder, disfigurement, enforced suicide, kidnap. Despite the term ‘honour’ based violence, it is recognised that there is no honour in and no legal defence for committing offences against the person.
Female genital mutilation (sometimes referred to as female circumcision) refers to procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The practice is illegal in the UK.

Although official statistics paint a picture where the numbers of reported cases are small, the truth is that these are often hidden crimes which, for various reasons, are under-reported.

Regardless of the statistics, here at LAWC, we believe that even one example of these damaging practices taking place is too much. That’s why we’re doing everything we can to make Luton and Bedfordshire a ‘no Harmful Practices’ zone by 2030.

Black and white image of woman wearing a hijab

To achieve that we’re working hard to put educational measures in place so that every opportunity to keep women and girls safe from these practices is met.

We know this isn’t going to change things for everyone though and so we also provide a dedicated help and support service for women and girls affected by Harmful Practices.

If you are (or have been) affected by Harmful Practices and live in Luton or Bedfordshire, our aim is to help you stay safe, reduce your risk of associated harm (e.g. domestic abuse) and support you in moving successfully forward with your life.

What we can offer:

1-1 Casework

When you come to us for help, we’ll talk with you about your current situation/ needs and allocate an individual adviser to your case. We’ll work with you to create a safety and recovery plan that will usually have several elements. For example, if you need guidance through criminal proceedings, we’ll help you to understand what is likely to happen. If you need help making practical improvements in your life (e.g. housing) we’ll guide and support you. And, if you need emotional support, we’ll be right by your side. Where beneficial, your adviser may refer you to other services at the centre too – e.g. professional counselling or our Wellbeing Group.

County-wide support

We work closely with several other organisations across Bedfordshire to ensure victims/survivors of Harmful Practices can access support wherever they are.

Alongside the casework we offer at the centre, we can make referrals to other agencies such as Bedford Women’s Centre (for women in the north of the county), and ACCM/Families First (for male victims).

Solicitors advice surgeries

We offer a free solicitor advice surgery for our clients at the centre which takes place twice a month on Wednesdays and Fridays.

This surgery is kindly supported by JKC Lawyers and is available only to women who are existing users of the centre.

Get help now!

If you believe you (or someone you know) is in immediate life-threatening danger, please call the Police on 999.

Otherwise, to find out more about accessing any part of our Harmful Practices Service, drop into the centre (Mon – Fri, between 9.30am – 12noon) or call us on 01582 416783. We guarantee you’ll be greeted by a friendly face or voice.

Access other sources of help, information and resources around forced marriage and honour-based abuse here.

Access other sources of help, information and resources around FGM here.

Latest

Fundraise for LAWC

As a charity, we largely depend on grants and voluntary donations to meet the £1200 price tag we incur every single day. This is how we can continue caring for some of the most vulnerable women and girls in our community. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Bath to Tomarton Hike (Cotswold Way)

“ Empowering women to achieve their full potential has always been something I have been very passionate about....”
Raising Boys webinar (1)

Thursday 9th May at 9.30 am, online. Join this 45-minute webinar to feel more confident raising your sons and discussing issues around violence against women and girls with them.
Raising Girls webinar (1)

Friday 17th May at 1.00 pm, online. Join this 45-minute webinar to feel more confident raising your daughters and discussing the challenges they face, including issues around Violence Against Women and Girls.

Domestic abuse

Almost 30% of women in England and Wales say they have experienced domestic violence/abuse since the age of 16. If you are affected by this issue, Luton All Women's Centre is there to help.
Health and wellbeing

The importance of maintaining good physical health, mental health and general wellbeing cannot be over-emphasised. For the women we support at Luton All Women's Centre, such things aren't always easy. Our centre provides a wide range of services which aim to help vulnerable women in Luton with this area of their lives.
Counselling

Whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, abuse, bereavement or any other distressing issue in your life, it can be easy to feel alone or that everything has moved beyond your point of control. Counselling provides the opportunity to talk with someone about how you’re feeling in a wholly supportive, confidential and non-judgemental environment. At Luton All Women’s Centre, professional counselling is an ongoing and vital part of the holistic support we offer to our clients.
Other groups

Luton All Women's Centre offers a range of support groups for women whose health and wellbeing have been affected by various life-events - including childhood sexual abuse and bereavement.
Women's academy

Luton All Women's Centre has created the Women’s Academy to provide education, training and skills development activities specifically designed to help women who are escaping/recovering from abuse to move forward with their lives and improve their long-term employment prospects.
Other sources of help

Links to various other sources of help for vulnerable women living in Luton and Bedfordshire.

What we do

Luton All Women’s Centre (LAWC) has been supporting women and girls living in Luton and Bedfordshire since the early 1990s. Offering a wide-range of advisory, information, practical and holistic support services, our aim is to challenge gender inequality and empower women and girls to enjoy lives that are safer, healthier and fairer.
Jobs

Want to make a real difference to the lives of local women? At LAWC, we have lots of opportunities for you to do just that within a range of exciting roles coming soon (including a Women’s Academy Coordinator, Counselling Services Manager and Client Advisors). Take a look below and keep checking back for updates.
Counselling

Whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, abuse, bereavement or any other distressing issue in your life, it can be easy to feel alone or that everything has moved beyond your point of control. Counselling provides the opportunity to talk with someone about how you’re feeling in a wholly supportive, confidential and non-judgemental environment. At Luton All Women’s Centre, professional counselling is an ongoing and vital part of the holistic support we offer to our clients.
Domestic abuse

Almost 30% of women in England and Wales say they have experienced domestic violence/abuse since the age of 16. If you are affected by this issue, Luton All Women's Centre is there to help.
Make a referral

If you’re a professional and think someone you’re supporting could benefit from any of the services we provide at Luton All Women’s Centre, the team would be happy to hear from you.
Health and wellbeing

The importance of maintaining good physical health, mental health and general wellbeing cannot be over-emphasised. For the women we support at Luton All Women's Centre, such things aren't always easy. Our centre provides a wide range of services which aim to help vulnerable women in Luton with this area of their lives.
Other groups

Luton All Women's Centre offers a range of support groups for women whose health and wellbeing have been affected by various life-events - including childhood sexual abuse and bereavement.
Essential information

Take a look at all the essential information you need to know about Luton All Women's Centre, such as our normal opening times, facilities and accessibility information.
Help with mental health and wellbeing

Local and national information an support around mental health and wellbeing
Volunteer with us

Volunteering with LAWC is a fantastic way for you use your skills, expertise and time for good, to support the vital work we carry out and to become a hugely valued member of our great team! Take a look at our current opportunities.