Caste-based abuse is a global issue, widespread in South Asian communities but also affecting communities in other parts of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the Pacific and diaspora populations. In the UK, due to the social landscape and prevalence of migrant communities, it is particularly prevalent in South Asian communities. Women and girls face risks linked to ‘honour’-based abuse, dowry-related abuse, forced marriage and other harmful practices.

In the context of harmful practices, caste-based abuse can include:

• Forced and early marriage within caste hierarchies
• Dowry-related abuse
• ‘Honour’-based violence for defying caste norms
• Rape, sexual exploitation and trafficking of women and girls from lower castes
• Domestic violence, that may be exacerbated by caste expectations 
• Exclusion from education, healthcare and employment 
• Bonded labour or hereditary servitude 

• Barriers accessing support services
• Social exclusion, isolation, community and family rejection, particularly by women from upper castes married to men from lower castes.

Reasons may include:

• To uphold notions of caste honour 
• To uphold cultural and social norms
• To maintain ideas of ‘purity’ and ‘pollution’
• To justify hierarchy through culture
• To fix social status by birth
• To preserve power and privilege
• To limit access to resources
• To uphold systemic discrimination
• Cultural impunity towards perpetrators 
• Silence and cultural taboo preventing discussions about caste
• Lack of legal recognition that prevents victims from reporting it

Caste discrimination is not expressly prohibited under UK equality legislation, although the Equality Act 2010 requires the government to introduce secondary legislation to make caste an aspect of race, thereby making caste discrimination a form of race discrimination. This secondary legislation has not yet been introduced.

Caste-based abuse is a harmful practice and covered under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, and if it involves forced marriage, under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 that makes forced and early marriages illegal in the UK.

Warning signs can include:

• Verbal or physical abuse 
• Pressure to marry within their caste
• Fear of repercussions from marrying outside their caste
• Exclusion from social and community activities and gatherings 
• Social surveillance
• Vigilance at home 
• Domestic servitude, particularly targeting women from lower castes
• Sexual abuse due to caste hierarchies 
• Limited access to education or employment 
• Economic exploitation and fear of retaliation for speaking out
• Difficulties accessing services despite attempts made
• Depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation