Harmful Practices: A Community-Led Approach to Tackling Domestic Abuse

In this thought leadership piece, we sit down with Tilly Hall, Project Officer for Harmful Practices at Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse (STADA), to delve into the challenges and progress within the field of harmful practices. ‘Harmful practices’ is a term used to describe forms of gender-based violence and domestic abuse where escalation of abuse and associated risks happen due to notions of power and control within intersectional contexts of oppression. In these cases, religion, culture, patriarchal codes of behaviour and perceived notions of honour are used by one or more perpetrators as an excuse for coercive control, threats and abuse. Harmful practices include so-called ‘honour’ based abuse, forced and child marriage, and female genital mutilation or cutting. 

Through this interview, we explore the significant work being done on the ground, alongside the broader systemic issues and the importance of community-driven change. As part of our ongoing commitment to raise awareness and spark conversation, this piece brings Tilly’s valuable insights to the forefront, showcasing the depth of knowledge that inform the work we do. 

At STADA, the heart of our mission lies in community-led change. This approach is not just about addressing domestic abuse—it's about recognising the unique challenges faced by different communities and coming together to drive progress. Our communities are diverse, and at STADA, we firmly believe that "community" means something different for everyone. It encompasses faith groups, Black and Latinx communities, disabled individuals, and the LGBTQ+ community—each facing harmful practices in distinct ways, yet united in the need for intervention and justice. 

Tilly Hall has spent the past year coordinating the multi-agency response to harmful practices within three London boroughs to enhance the understanding and responses to harmful practices across statutory and non-statutory service provision. As she reflects on her work, there are signs of progress—better engagement in meetings, increased mailing list figures, and growing awareness among service providers. But, Tilly acknowledges, this is just the beginning. There is still a vast distance to go in ensuring that harmful practices are understood, addressed, and eradicated on a national scale. 

“We're seeing incremental change, but it still feels like a drop in the ocean compared to the bigger picture,” Tilly shares. “Yes, we are making progress locally, but this is not enough. The systemic barriers still remain a significant challenge in tackling harmful practices on a national level.” 

Statutory Definition of Honour-Based Abuse: A Call for Legal Recognition 

A critical aspect of ongoing advocacy within the field of harmful practices is the push for a statutory definition of honour-based abuse. Currently, the criminal justice system struggles to adequately address such cases, often misclassifying or failing to fully recognise them in prosecution. 

One tragic example is the case of Fawziyah Javed, a 31-year-old woman who died after being pushed from Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh by her husband, Kashif Anwar, on 2nd September, 2021. This act was found to be linked to so-called ‘honour’- based abuse and domestic violence. Fawziyah had endured a pattern of controlling and abusive behaviour from her husband and was planning to leave him shortly before her death. On the day of the incident, she reportedly confronted him about her intentions to separate, which led to her murder. 

Tilly Hall reflects on this and other similar cases, highlighting the urgent need for a statutory definition to ensure such incidents are correctly identified and prosecuted. “This kind of silencing of honour-related cases is deeply concerning,” she remarks. “Without proper recognition of so-called ‘honour-based abuse in legal systems, survivors are denied justice, and the true scale of the issue remains hidden.” 

Much of the advocacy for legal reform is being led by specialist by-and-for women’s organisations, such as Karma Nirvana, IKWRO , Asian Women’s Resource Centre, HALO Project, Sikh Women’s Aid, and more . These organisations continue to work tirelessly for formal recognition despite significant challenges, including government resistance. Tilly emphasises, “The silence surrounding harmful practices in our legal frameworks needs to be broken. Survivors deserve better, and we need systems that accurately reflect the realities they face.” 

Reassessing Models of Domestic Abuse Intervention: The MARAC Framework 

One of the critical interventions STADA coordinates is the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC). A MARAC is a regular local meeting where professionals gather to discuss the safety of victims/survivors of domestic abuse, who have been assessed as being in the top 10% highest risk of homicide or serious harm. MARAC brings together local services, enabling them to share vital information that no single agency can fully access alone. This collaborative approach ensures the development of a joined-up safety plan for survivors, while holding perpetrators accountable. 

STADA coordinates MARACs across four London boroughs: Hammersmith & Fulham, Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, and Haringey, hearing between 300 to 500 high-risk cases in each borough every year. The results have been promising, with significant improvements in the volume of referrals from diverse backgrounds and better identification of those at highest risk. As Tilly notes, "MARAC provides an essential platform to bring together the right partners to keep survivors safe through robust safety planning." 

Tilly explains the significance of the MARAC model, noting that while it is effective, existing frameworks sometimes fail to address the complexity of harmful practices. “Many of the cases we see aren’t as straightforward as a single perpetrator and a single victim-survivor. Hharmful practices cases often involve multiple perpetrators, and involve dynamics around ‘honour’ and shame. The risk to victim-survivors from wider family members are not always understood or taken seriously so we must work to ensure that MARAC can address cases with these nuances.” 

Standing Together continues to drive best practices in MARAC coordination and provides training and briefings for professionals in these four boroughs. The effort ensures that local systems are in place to identify those at highest risk, keep survivors safe, hold abusers to account, and prevent further escalation of violence. The success of this system underscores the importance of coordinated community responses to domestic abuse 

The Importance of Communities and Lived Experience 

Tilly also highlights the significance of engaging directly with the specialist by and for organisations who specialise in harmful practices. Often, their staff have lived experience of harmful practices and have grown up in the communities where they are most prevalent. “If we are serious about enacting real change, we must listen to the voices of those affected,” she emphasises. “They are the experts, and they have invaluable insights that can guide our work.” This approach aligns with STADA’s core values of inclusivity and community empowerment. 

“Take the opportunity when it arises—don’t sideline the voices that matter most,” Tilly advises. “Survivors have the power to shape the change that is desperately needed. They offer essential perspectives that can help us create solutions that are both meaningful and effective.” 

Tilly urges, “Engaging with people who have lived experience isn’t just valuable—it’s essential. Survivors have real, powerful stories to tell, and they should be given the platform to share their experiences.” 

The Road Ahead: The Urgency of Change 

Though progress is being made, Tilly makes it clear that the fight against harmful practices is far from over. The government’s reluctance to act and the slow pace of systemic change mean that the work of organisations like STADA is as crucial as ever. “We need to continue pushing, victim-survivors of harmful practices are some of the most marginalised in our society. They often experience additional barriers such as insecure immigration status, no recource to public funds, and language barriers. We must advocate for these women and continue advocating and engaging with the whole community—from government bodies to frontline services—to drive the transformation needed.” 

As STADA looks to the future, Tilly’s work reminds us that real change happens when communities lead the way. By empowering individuals to share their experiences, advocating for legal recognition, and pushing for more inclusive intervention models, we can begin to break down the barriers that sustain harmful practices. 

“We have a long way to go, but I believe in the power of community,” Tilly concludes. “When we work together—not just in silos, but across sectors and communities—we can make the change we need. It’s time for a wider conversation and a shift in how we define and respond to harmful practices.”