Narissa MacLennan-Matthews

American Society of Criminology

British Society of Criminology

South Asian Society of Criminology & Victimology

Honour Abuse Rsearch Matrix (HARM)

Narissa holds an MSc in Criminology, where her research critically examined UK legal frameworks and the systemic challenges faced by victims and individuals at risk of so-called honour-based violence and abuse (SCHBVA). She has successfully completed her viva and is currently undertaking doctoral corrections for her PhD which are due to be completed by February 2026. Her thesis, “Male Victims of ‘Honour Crimes’: A Critical Examination of the Concepts of ‘Honour’ and the Wider Debates Surrounding So-Called Honour-Based Violence and Hate Crime,” offers an original and timely contribution to debates on victimhood, gender, and violence.

Recognised as a subject specialist in SCHBVA, lone-wolf terrorism, and heterodox ideologies, Narissa has presented her research at numerous academic conferences, contributed to policy and practitioner focused summits, and shared her expertise through multiple podcast appearances. She has recently authored two book chapters addressing contemporary criminological and socio-political issues. Her wider body of work explores the intersections between SCHBVA, lone-actor terrorism, heterodox ideologies, and processes of radicalisation within higher education settings. 

Alongside her academic work, Narissa liaises with a range of UK & International charities, law enforcement bodies, and governmental agencies to support legislative reform and strengthen inter-agency cooperation within multi-agency safeguarding and response frameworks. She has also designed a pilot project aimed at addressing SCHBVA in the United States, demonstrating the international applicability and policy relevance of her research.

So-Called Honour-Based Violence and Abuse

Gender-Based Violence

Hate Crime

Global Terrorism/ Critical Infrastructures

Religious Ideologies and Terrorism

Heterodox Ideologies

Domestic Violent Extremism (UK & USA)

Lone Wolf-Terrorists

Homeland Security & Disaster Risk Management (USA)

Narissa is currently writing a book chapter, titled "Sexual Exploitation and Grooming as Mechanisms of Patriarchal Control in Domestic Violence,"  for inclusion in an edited volume,due for publication in the Spring 2026. Written from a criminological perspective, the chapter analyses sexual exploitation and grooming as forms of patriarchal control that produce layered and enduring harms across the United Kingdom and United States. Drawing on case studies such as the Rochdale grooming scandal and wider patterns of trafficking, it examines how these practices function as mechanisms of patriarchal governance. The chapter adopts an intersectional framework to explore experiences of harm, hate, and victimisation, paying particular attention to both proximal victims, those directly subjected to exploitation and abuse and distal victims, including families, communities, and social groups affected by these crimes. It further interrogates the overlapping dynamics of sexual exploitation, grooming, forced marriage, and the trafficking of victims of 'so-called honour-based violence and abuse' (SCHBVA).

Narissa’s two published book chapters, both featured in the Encyclopedia of Domestic Violence edited by T.K. Shackelford, tackle complex and critical issues surrounding domestic violence, patriarchy, and honor culture. Here's a more detailed overview of each chapter’s focus:

"From Patriarchy to Extremism: How Domestic Violence and Honour Culture Fuel Lone-Wolf Terrorism" (2026)

This chapter explores the link between deeply ingrained patriarchal norms, honour culture, and the rise of lone-wolf terrorism. Narissa examines how traditional gender roles and the enforcement of 'honour' particularly in male-dominated societies  contribute to a toxic worldview that glorifies violence, vengeance, and control. The chapter argues that when individuals, often men, feel that their ‘honour’ or masculinity is threatened, they may resort to extreme forms of violence to reclaim it. This chapter highlights how domestic violence, particularly against women, is a breeding ground for this mindset. Narissa connects these societal structures of oppression to the actions of lone-wolf terrorists, who may see themselves as defending their ‘honour’ or societal values in violent ways. The research ties together the psychological, social, and cultural dimensions of extremism, suggesting that terrorism isn't only driven by ideology but also by deeply rooted personal grievances and the internalization of patriarchal norms.

Key Topics Covered:

The intersection of patriarchy, honour culture, and violence.

Domestic violence as a precursor to extreme forms of violence and terrorism.

Psychological and sociocultural explanations for lone-wolf terrorism.

Gendered violence and the role of masculinity in radicalization.

Case studies of lone-wolf terrorists and their connections to personal or familial trauma.

Citation:
MacLennan-Matthews, N.S. (2026). From Patriarchy to Extremism: How Domestic Violence and Honor Culture Fuel Lone-Wolf Terrorism. In Shackelford, T.K. (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Domestic Violence. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-85493-5_2201-1

"Manhood/Honor Culture and Its Impact on the Queer Community" (2025)

In this chapter, Narissa shifts focus to the queer community, analysing how patriarchal notions of manhood and honour culture harm LGBTQ+ individuals. The chapter delves into how toxic masculinity and rigid gender norms  often associated with honour culture create environments of exclusion, violence, and discrimination for queer people, especially those who challenge or subvert traditional gender expectations. Narissa discusses the psychological and social pressures placed on queer individuals to conform to heterosexual, gender-normative ideals of manhood and womanhood. For many LGBTQ+ people, this creates a hostile and dangerous atmosphere, where honour culture can lead to familial rejection, physical violence, and even hate crimes.

Furthermore, the chapter explores the unique vulnerabilities faced by queer individuals who occupy marginalized intersections, such as those who are transgender, non-binary, or from racial/ethnic minorities. Narissa makes the case that honour culture doesn’t only perpetuate heteronormative ideals but also stigmatizes those who don’t fit neatly into the binary of traditional gender roles. This chapter offers a nuanced examination of how honour culture perpetuates gender-based violence in the context of queer lives, emphasizing the importance of dismantling these toxic ideologies for the protection and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals.

Key Topics Covered:

The impact of honour culture on gender and sexual identity.

The intersection of masculinity and homophobia.

Social and familial rejection of queer individuals in honour-based societies.

Strategies for deconstructing harmful cultural practices and fostering inclusive environments for queer people.

Citation:
MacLennan-Matthews, N.S. (2025). Manhood/Honor Culture and Its Impact on the Queer Community. In Shackelford, T.K. (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Domestic Violence. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-85493-5_2197-1

Both chapters combine theoretical frameworks, empirical research, and social commentary, offering critical perspectives on how entrenched cultural norms around gender, power, and violence continue to shape individual behaviours and societal structures. They emphasize the need for cultural change to break the cycles of violence, discrimination, and extremism perpetuated by patriarchal and honour-based ideologies. Through these works, Narissa contributes to the growing body of research on gender, violence, and extremism, providing insights that are both academically rigorous and socially relevant.