History

Karma Nirvana is a registered charity and was founded by Jasvinder Sanghera. We operate Nationally across the United Kingdom on our Honour Network Helpline.

In 1993, Jasvinder, a survivor of forced marriage and honour based abuse, established the project initially with a view to create a support network for women who experienced language and cultural barriers. Karma Nirvana means peace and enlightenment. It was named in the hope that the work it seeks to undertake would make a positive impact on the lives of individuals who would by our involvement achieve a sense of peace and ultimately enlightenment.

Jasvinder explains that the main catalyst for setting up Karma Nirvana was after her sister Robina died through committing suicide, as this was deemed the only way out of a horrific marriage. Jasvinder describes in her biography "Shame" how Robina had on a number of occasions sought help from family members and from within the community she lived, but was let down. Jasvinder set up Karma Nirvana to ensure that Robina's death was not taken away in vain.

Since Karma Nirvana's establishment in 1993 it has expanded and developed from a local to regional project to now being a national to international project. Karma Nirvana not only supports women, but has expanded to also support men and couples as this has been identified as a growing need by the project. During our existence we have been instrumental in developing the first Asian Women's refuge in Derby and Stoke-on-Trent and are currently in the early stages of developing the first Asian male refuge for victims of forced marriage and honour based violence.

Since the launch of our 'Honour Network' helpline on the 11th April 2008 to the 31st March 2010, we received over 9000 calls.