A mother has been charged with coercive control over her 18-year-old daughter in a disturbing case of alleged “honour-based abuse.” Yasmin Shinwary, 42, is accused of enforcing strict obedience, controlling her daughter’s movements, and isolating her from friends and social activities. Both Yasmin and her husband, Burhanullah Shinwary, 46, face charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm after an incident involving their daughter, Fatima.
The Incident and Allegations
According to the Evening Standard, the charges stem from an incident on June 27, when Fatima celebrated the last day of college by going to the high street in Hounslow with friends. According to Prosecutor Niamh McDonagh, Yasmin Shinwary allegedly assaulted her daughter by grabbing her arm. Following this, Burhanullah Shinwary allegedly attacked Fatima, resulting in injuries to her face and hands.
“The victim says she was repeatedly denied access to her friends or any sort of social life,” McDonagh told Uxbridge Magistrates Court on Monday. “They demanded to know where she is, what she is doing, with whom, and when” [via The Evening Standard]. This pattern of behavior allegedly constitutes coercive control, as Fatima was repeatedly controlled and denied independence outside the family unit.
Coercive Control Beyond Domestic Abuse
While coercive control is often discussed in the context of domestic abuse and intimate relationships, it can also manifest in other settings. Family units, such as the Shinwary case, are prime examples. Additionally, adult children may exert control over elderly parents, and situations may arise in communal living environments or workplaces. Coercive control involves a range of behaviors designed to dominate and isolate the victim, eroding their sense of autonomy and self-worth.
Honour-Based Abuse
Honour-based abuse is a specific type of coercive control rooted in cultural or familial expectations. It often involves violence or threats of violence to protect or restore the perceived honour of a family or community. This abuse can include physical violence, emotional manipulation, and social isolation. Victims, like Fatima, are often young women subjected to strict control over their behavior, relationships, and personal freedoms to conform to family or community norms.
According to Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership, indicators of honour-based abuse could include patterns of constrained behavior, forced marriage, female genital mutilation and forced religious practices. “There may be evidence of domestic abuse, including controlling, coercive and dominating behaviour towards the child or young person and or adult victim. Family disputes, and unreasonable restrictions on the young person such as removal from education or virtual imprisonment within the home may occur.”
The UK’s Home Office statistics for revealed that there were 2,905 honour-based offences recorded by the police in 2022.
Court Proceedings
Burhanullah Shinwary appeared in court on Saturday and was remanded in custody on a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Yasmin Shinwary appeared in the dock two days later, where she pleaded not guilty to charges of coercive control and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Through an interpreter, Yasmin tearfully stated, “I did not do these things,” adding, “I’m going to die in prison. Could you send me somewhere else?” despite the court’s decision to remand her in custody.
The couple, who moved to the UK from Afghanistan, are scheduled to appear together at Isleworth Crown Court for a pre-trial hearing on July 29. This case highlights the severe impact of coercive control and honour-based abuse within families and underscores the importance of addressing these forms of abuse comprehensively.
Legal Implications and Support
In the UK, coercive control became a criminal offense under the Serious Crime Act 2015. The law recognizes that controlling or coercive behavior can cause significant psychological and emotional harm, even in the absence of physical violence. Victims of coercive control, whether in intimate relationships, family settings, or other environments, are encouraged to seek help from support organizations and law enforcement.
Organizations like Refuge and Women’s Aid provide resources and support for those experiencing coercive control and honour-based abuse. It is crucial for victims to understand that they are not alone and that help is available.
Featured image: Honour-based abuse often involves coercive control. Source: rachaphak / Adobe Stock.
