number5 Select Language:
Arab Urdu Hindi Bengali Farsi
KARMA NIRVANA PEACE AND ENLIGHTENMENT ‘Honour-based violence happens behind closed doors, but it is there, creeping like a cancer through our society’ – Jasvinder Sanghera
‘Multicultural sensitivity is no excuse for moral blindness’ Mike O’Brien
‘Women everywhere, of all cultures, merit access to education and basic human rights’ Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Increase reporting, reduce isolation, save lives Ring the Karma Nirvana team on 0800 5999 247.Speak to us in complete confidence.

Preet's Story

My name is Preet. I got involved with Karma Nirvana as a service user in 2007 around the time Jasvinder Sanghera launched her first book 'Shame'.

When I was 20 years old, I fell in love with a Christian man and married him, but my family reacted as though I had dishonoured them. After 10 days of marriage we were arrested on false charges and taken to the police. My husband at that time was detained all night in a cell while I was taken to my fathers offices, huddled in a car and transported into the bordering country under sedation and at gunpoint. During this time I was horrifically abused both emotionally and physically. I was flown to India and two years after being kept under very strict observation, I was forced to marry a man I had never met properly until the wedding day. I was forced into making this marriage work and had children to restore the respect and honour in my father's family.

The marriage didn't work as he was an alcoholic and became abusive towards me. I finally plucked up the courage to walk out on the marriage six years later. I started suffering from depression and had a breakdown a year after the split. I ended up in a mental unit where I was referred to have psychiatric treatment. I had another relapse a year later and this time I consented to my ex-husband having temporary custody of the children. Social services were ordered to write a report, which was detrimental to myself and against me having the children on a long term basis. My ex-husband had also threatened to kill me as he felt I had dishonoured him by wanting to leave. Consequently I felt torn between a family case and a criminal one. I felt as though no one understood my cultural background and why I was in the situation I was in.

Soon after a close friend of mine heard Jasvinder Sanghera on the radio at the release of her book 'Shame' and told me that I should read the book and get in touch with her. After meeting Jasvinder she provided a cultural expert witness report which helped me immensely. In April 2008, I was relieved to gain full custody of my children. Since then I have finally been able to move on with my life.

To date, I offer my support to potential victims and advice agencies with issues relating to forced marriages and honour-based abuse. It is a big acheivement to know that I can help victims and survivors change their lives for the better by sharing my own experiences and reassuring them that they are not alone. If it wasn't for my friend introducing me to Karma Nirvana, Jasvinder Sanghera and Shazia Qayum, I don't know where I would have been right now. Thanks to all of them for helping me see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Clicking Here will take you to Google, remember to hide your tracksWordpress!