Karma Nirvana — support for victims of honour-based abuse and forced marriage
Karma Nirvana is the UK's leading charity for victims of honour-based abuse, forced marriage and disownment — where family, community or cultural pressure is used to control a person's life, partner choice or children. For parents in family proceedings involving these issues, Karma Nirvana is a specialist source of support that understands the risks of speaking out.
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-09-01
What Karma Nirvana is
Karma Nirvana is a national charity founded in Derby in 1993 by Jasvinder Sanghera CBE. It supports victims and survivors of honour-based abuse — which includes forced marriage, honour-based violence, disownment, coercion around divorce and partner choice, and abuse linked to shame and reputation. It trains police, schools, courts and social services, and its helpline is used by victims, professionals and worried family members.
What help it offers
- National helpline: 0800 5999 247 — free; check current opening hours on the Karma Nirvana website (days and hours have varied; the site states them).
- Confidential, culturally aware support for anyone at risk, whatever their background.
- Advice for professionals — police, courts, social care and schools dealing with honour-based abuse cases.
- Survivor resources and education programmes in schools and communities.
- Signposting to refuges and services experienced in honour-based risk, including safe accommodation.
How a self-representing parent can use Karma Nirvana
1. If honour-based dynamics are part of your case. Where the other side of the family, the wider community, or cultural pressure is being used to control you or the children, the helpline can help you assess risk — and the family court takes honour-based abuse seriously as a form of domestic abuse under Practice Direction 12J. 2. Forced Marriage Protection Orders. If you, or your child, are at risk of a forced marriage, the court can make a Forced Marriage Protection Order (see our FMPO guides). Karma Nirvana supports people through this; the Forced Marriage Unit (government) handles the overseas and emergency side. 3. Evidence and safety. Advisers can explain safe contact methods, what to tell your solicitor or the court, and how to stay safe while proceedings run — including when family members may be monitoring your communications. 4. For your children. Where children are being pressured (about relationships, going abroad, or contact with family), specialist advice helps you protect them lawfully, including through specific issue and prohibited steps orders.
Karma Nirvana is not a legal service; it provides support and signposting. In an emergency, always call 999 and mention any risk of honour-based abuse.
Contact details
- Helpline (free): 0800 5999 247
- Website: https://karmanirvana.org.uk
- Forced Marriage Unit (government): https://www.gov.uk/forced-marriage — see our Forced Marriage Unit listing
- 9pm (out of hours police) / 999 in emergencies
Useful links
- Karma Nirvana: https://karmanirvana.org.uk
- Forced Marriage Unit: https://www.gov.uk/forced-marriage
- Our guides: honour-based abuse; FMPO step-by-step; forced marriage protection orders
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws, procedures and contact details change — verify anything important against the official sources linked above before relying on it. Your Family Case is an independent directory listing; we take no referral fees and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or receiving payment from any organisation listed.
Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.