A psychologist from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has been recognised for her vital research contribution which aims to end ‘honour’ based abuse and support survivors.

Dr Roxanne Khan, Director of the Honour Abuse Research Matrix (HARM) won the award titled: special recognition for academic contribution to end ’honour’ based abuse at the True Honour Awards 2020-21.

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The awards were organised by leading women’s rights charity the Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation (IKWRO).

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The charity’s mission is 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.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Dr Khan said: “The vital work that IKWRO do to support victims of honour abuse and forced marriage has been a constant source of inspiration to me since their foundation almost 20 years ago.

“As Director of HARM I am genuinely humbled to receive this award in special recognition of my academic contribution to end honour-based abuse.”

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Dr Khan was one of 12 individuals and organisations to be recognised through the awards. A spokesperson for the judging panel said: “On behalf of IKWRO and all of the judges, we would like to congratulate every nominee for their crucial work to end honour-based abuse and support survivors. Every single one deserves recognition and praise.”

Dr Khan launched HARM at UCLan in 2018 in response to the need for a more inclusive, multi-disciplinary approach to research, policy and practice for victims and survivors of honour- based abuse, forced and child marriage and female genital mutilation.

The UCLan academic is a chartered psychologist with two decades experience working with victims and perpetrators of abuse. She maintains a long-standing research interest in the roots of aggression, seeking to understand why people inflict emotional, physical and sexual harm against others and the complex trauma this causes victims.

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