Help with forced marriage/ honour-based abuse

Forced marriage and so-called honour-based abuse are crimes and violations of human rights which deserve no place in our society. There is no honour in these harmful practices and if you’re affected in any way (or are worried about someone who you think may fall prey to such practices), the most important thing to know is that help is at hand.

At Luton All Women’s Centre, our specialist Harmful Practices service offers confidential information advice and support.

Find out more here or contact us on 01582 416783.

There is also lots of local and national support available. Use the resources below to find out more.

Local support

ACCM Bedfordshire

Support and information for victims in Bedfordshire who have been affected by Honour Bases Violence, Forced Marriage or FGM. Support in different languages.

National support

Forced Marriage Unit

Confidential advice and assistance to those who have been forced into a marriage, or people worried about a friend or relative. For professionals who are working with actual victims or potential victims of forced marriage - how to protect, advise and support victims of forced marriage – ‘Information and practice guidelines for professionals’.

IKWRO

Supports victim of HBA and harmful practices. Support in different community languages. Work to protect Middle Eastern and Afghan women and girls who are at risk of honour-based violence, forced marriage, child marriage, female genital mutilation and domestic violence and to promote their rights.

Karma Nirvana

Supporting victims of honour-based violence and forced marriage.

Halo project

Advice and support victims of honour-based violence, forced marriages and FGM

Sharan Project

Supports vulnerable women, particularly from South Asian communities in Britain, who have experienced persecution, domestic violence, forced marriage, honour-based abuse and other forms of cultural conflict.

True Honour

Confidential one-to-one victim support for honour-based violence and forced marriage.

Articles and other resources

The Independent: ‘It’s a toxic environment’: The victims imprisoned at home as honour-based abuse reports surge in lockdown

Southall Black Sisters: Abused women with no recourse to public funds

Shelter: Help if you’re homeless from any kind of domestic abuse or harmful practices

Latest

Awards and accreditations

LAWC has been nominated and won several local awards and holds accreditations that assure clients of our commitment to quality.
Menopause

We provide support for women going through the menopause via an open-access group, run at various times during the year.
Get help at BWC

This page is currently under construction. Please come back soon for further updates or contact us directly on 01234 316801 or at [email protected].
Professional and Community Services at BWC

Bedford Women's Centre provides a range of services for professionals and community organisations across Bedford Borough.

Help with bereavement

Local and national information and support around Bereavement
Help with cyberstalking and online safety

Local and national information around cybertsaking and online safety
Help with domestic abuse

Local and national information and support around domestic abuse
Help with FGM

Local and national information and support around Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Help with the menopause

Local and national information and support around the menopause
Help with mental health and wellbeing

Local and national information an support around mental health and wellbeing
Help with sexual violence

Local and national information and support around sexual violence
Support for women in Bedford

This page is currently under development but will soon include a directory of support organisations available to women in Bedford.
Support for women in Luton

This page is currently under development but will soon include a directory of support organisations available to women in Luton.

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.
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.
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.
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.