In honor killing murder is committed by?

Appeared in: KGMU 2023

Explanation

An honor killing is, by definition, a homicide committed by members of a family against a fellow family member.
The motive behind the act is the perpetrators' belief that the victim has brought shame or dishonor to the family.
This act is perceived by the killers as a way to restore the family's reputation and standing within their community.
It is considered an extreme form of domestic violence.

Option A: A murder committed by a neighbor would be classified as homicide, but it lacks the specific familial relationship and honor-based motive that defines an honor killing.
Option B: A murder by an enemy is typically driven by a vendetta, rivalry, or personal conflict. It is not related to the concept of restoring family honor.
Option D: Honor killings are premeditated and carried out by known individuals—the victim's own relatives. A murder by an unknown person is a random act of violence or a different type of crime, not an honor killing.

Visual 1: No visual is required for this question type as it is a direct recall of a definition.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definition and perpetrators of honor killing as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Healthcare professionals, especially nurses, are often the first point of contact for victims of domestic abuse, which can be a precursor to honor-based violence. It is vital to be able to recognize the signs.
Key signs include a patient being accompanied by an overbearing family member who does all the talking, signs of physical abuse, or expressions of fear related to family disapproval of their life choices.
What if? If a patient confides that they are afraid of their family's reaction to a personal decision (e.g., a relationship, choice of clothing, or career), the nurse's priority must shift to immediate safety assessment. This is a major red flag for potential honor-based violence, and the nurse should discreetly connect the patient with social services, security, and legal protection resources.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept in the question, which is 'honor killing'.
Recall the specific definition of this term. The word 'honor' in this context is directly tied to 'family honor'.
This etymology strongly suggests that the act is committed by someone within the family unit to 'protect' or 'restore' that honor.
Evaluate the options based on this understanding. 'Neighbour', 'Enemy', and 'Unknown Member' are all outside the core family unit.
Therefore, 'Family Member' is the only logical and correct answer that fits the specific definition of an honor killing.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full KGMU 2023

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.