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Abductions, beatings and even murders. Thousands of violent crimes are still being carried out in Britain, all in the name of so called 'honour'.

They are often committed by those closest to the victims – their own families. In the last 5 years more than eleven thousand cases have been recorded by police forces in the UK.

In some households, typically from South Asian, Middle-Eastern and North African communities, women are seen as the key to preserving the family honour. They have to follow a set of rules or honour codes to avoid bringing 'shame'. It means basic freedoms many people take for granted, like wearing make-up, having a boyfriend, even going to university, can all be seen as dishonourable.

Divya Talwar meets the victims hiding in safe-houses, speaks to women trying to escape from their own families and hears from those willing to protect honour at all costs.

Listeners may find some of the content upsetting.

Presenter: Divya Talwar
Producer: Athar Ahmad
Editor: Kevin Silverton
Research: Kirren Rathor

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