Halo Project

Behind every service, campaign, training session, event and conversation is a team of people who care deeply about this work. 💜

From our frontline staff to the people working behind the scenes, everyone at Halo plays a part in supporting women and girls experiencing abuse and harmful practices.

And we're incredibly grateful for the partners, professionals, volunteers and supporters who stand alongside us too.

This is the Halo team. And this is why we do what we do. 💜

Honour-based abuse isn't always obvious from the outside.

Sometimes it's the constant pressure, control or threats that someone has been living with for years.

And because HBA can involve multiple perpetrators, a survivor may feel that there is nowhere safe to turn.

That's why recognising the signs and taking someone seriously when they speak about what they're experiencing matters.

If you're worried about someone, specialist support is available. 💜

Last week we swapped the office for the park! 🌿💜

We went on a wellbeing walk with some of our clients, taking some time to enjoy the outdoors, have a chat and do a little nature hunt along the way.

Activities like this give the women we support an opportunity to take some time for themselves, connect with others and enjoy a change of scenery.

A lovely afternoon of fresh air, conversation and lots of spotting things in nature. 🍂🌳💜

What happened before the final moment?

When a woman dies by su***de, we must look beyond the final moment and understand the circumstances surrounding her death.

For women experiencing honour-based abuse, this can mean years of coercion, threats, isolation, family or community pressure and fear.

That context matters.

Say Her Name is calling for greater recognition of honour-based abuse in deaths by su***de, better data and investigations, and changes to the law so that the actions of perpetrators are properly considered.

Because we cannot prevent future deaths if we fail to understand what happened before them.

Say Her Name. Change the Law. Deliver Justice. 💜

Today, we’re at Global HQ in London for the Women @ Global x Make Some Noise Charity Partner Recording. 💜

Our Founder and Chief Officer, Yasmin Khan, is joining the conversation alongside other charity partners to talk about domestic abuse, women’s safety and what meaningful support can look like.

Domestic abuse isn't always visible. It can include coercive control, emotional abuse, financial abuse, isolation, threats and intimidation and there are often complex reasons why someone may find it difficult to leave.

Today is an opportunity to have those conversations openly, challenge some of the common misconceptions around abuse and share insight from our frontline work supporting women and girls.

We’re proud to be part of this conversation and to help raise awareness of the support available to those experiencing abuse.

Thank you to Global and Make Some Noise for creating space for these important conversations. 💜

What does peace mean when you don't feel safe?

For someone experiencing abuse, peace can mean something very different.

It can mean sleeping without fear.

Making your own decisions.

Speaking without being monitored.

Being able to leave the house without worrying about what will happen when you return.

Having control over your own life.

This International Day of Peace, we're thinking about the women and girls who are still living without that basic sense of safety.

Everyone deserves to live in peace.

Behind every meeting, training session, campaign, referral and event, there is a reason we keep doing this work.

People.

The women and girls we support.
The survivors who trust us with their stories.

The professionals who want to understand more.

The partners who stand alongside us.
And the communities who continue to support the work.

There are difficult days. But there are also moments that remind us just how important this work is.

This is why Halo exists. 💜

Having a voice means being heard. 💜

Today is International Day of Democracy - a day that highlights the importance of participation, rights and having a say in the decisions that affect our lives.

For survivors of honour-based abuse, this can feel very personal.

Abuse and control can take away someone's ability to make decisions about their own life - from relationships and marriage to where they live, who they see and what they do.

That's why support should never be about making decisions for someone.

It's about listening, understanding the risks, explaining their options and helping them have a voice in what happens next.

Every woman deserves to be heard. Every woman deserves choices. Every woman deserves safety.

This year's theme is Changing the Narrative on Su***de - encouraging more open conversations and challenging the silence and stigma that can surround su***de.

For The Halo Project, this conversation is closely connected to our Say Her Name campaign.

When a woman dies by su***de following experiences of honour-based abuse, we need to look beyond the final moment.

We need to ask:

What was happening before her death?

Was she experiencing coercive control?
Was she being threatened or isolated?
Was she living with fear?
Were multiple people involved?
Did anyone recognise the abuse?

Changing the narrative means moving away from assumptions and asking better questions.

It means creating space for people to speak. It means recognising abuse and understanding risk. And it means making sure that deaths connected to honour-based abuse are not simply recorded without the circumstances that came before them being properly understood.

Our Say Her Name campaign is calling for that change.

Because every woman deserves to be heard. Every death deserves to be properly understood. Every life matters.

Say Her Name. Change the Law. Deliver Justice. 💜