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A Gatineau man is accused of “honour-based” violence against his daughter for not wearing her hijab in public.

Police say the teenager told authorities she had suffered repeated violence by her father for more than a year. And when he learned that his daughter was removing her hijab as soon as left the family home, the violence escalated.

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Police spokesperson Jean-Paul Lemay said this was the first such case in Gatineau and encouraged any other women who might be victims of similar behaviour to come forward.

“We hope the courage of this young girl will encourage other young victims of honour-based violence to come forward and talk about any abuse they are (receiving) and we will be listening to them.”

The 35-year-old man was arrested Wednesday and appeared in court Thursday where he was charged with assault, assault with a weapon and uttering death threats. His name was withheld to protect the girl’s identity. Lemay said she is safe and not with family.

Hayet Laggoune, president of Outaouais Islamic Centre, denounced such violence. He stressed that women wear the hijab of their own free will and should never be forced.

“We must be clear. We cannot force someone to do something they are not willing to do,” Laggoune said. “Neither our religion nor our prophet teaches us that. We must be willing to do it. We can’t be forced to wear the hijab. (The violence) is not justified and we are against that.”

Police are asking anyone who has concerns for their safety or knows a victim of violence to call Gatineau police at 819-778-3555.