New Guidance issued as reports of forced marriage increase
London, 2 July 2009

Figures released by the Government’s Forced Marriage Unit today show a welcome increase in the number of people willing to come forward to seek protection from forced marriage. The specialist unit, a joint body of the Foreign Office and Home Office, has already received 770 calls or emails to its helpline about suspected forced marriages so far this year – an increase of 16% in the same period last year. Cases of forced marriage dealt with by the Forced Marriage Unit have almost trebled since 2005, from 152 cases to 420 last year as more people come forward to seek help. However the true scale of the problem remains unclear. The very nature of forced marriage means that it is likely that a number of cases go unreported.

The FMU is preparing for its busiest time of year as young people raise concerns with teachers before the school summer holidays. These new figures coincide with the publication of new guidelines to front line professionals to help them work more closely together to better identify and protect children and adults at risk of forced marriage. The new guidelines for police, teachers, social and health professionals and housing officers, which were developed by the FMU in collaboration with other Government departments and the Welsh Assembly Government, aim to ensure that victims are identified and protected against the people intent on abusing them.

FCO Minister for Consular Affairs Chris Bryant, said: ”Nobody should be forced into marriage against their will or without their free and open consent. It is depressing that this practise does still continue, for whatever reason, and as a Government we are determined to do everything we can to put a stop to it and to protect the vulnerable. There is no culture in which this is acceptable in a modern world.”

Home Office Minister Alan Campbell, said: "These guidelines offer clear, step by step guidance to front line professionals about what to do when dealing with suspected cases of forced marriage. By working together we can ensure that all victims of forced marriage receive sympathetic, effective and joined up support and also challenge the culture of acceptance."

DCSF Minister for Young People and Families, Delyth Morgan said: “All children have the right to grow up safe from harm. As the end of the school year nears it’s vital that we get the message out that forced marriage is totally unacceptable and where children are subjected to this practice, the impact on their education and their future is devastating.”

Latest 2009 figures show that the majority of reportings to the FMU involve families of Pakistani (70%), and Bangladeshi (11%) origin, with smaller percentages of those of Indian, Middle Eastern, European and African origin. Victims in 14% of cases are male, 33% of all assistance cases are under 18 and 14% are under 16 years of age.

New Government research, Forced Marriage – Prevalence and Service Response, has also been published today. The research, which looked at the prevalence of and responses to forced marriage, shows that although there are examples of good practice, local agencies need to get better at working together to identify and prevent forced marriage. The findings of the report have helped to inform today’s new guidelines.

The Forced Marriage Unit runs a public helpline that provides advice and support to both practitioners handling cases of forced marriage and to victims themselves. Call 020 7008 0151 between 9am-5pm Monday to Friday or email fmu@fco.gov.uk. For out of hours emergency advice, call 020 7008 1500 and ask for the FCO Global Response Centre. Further information can be found by visiting www.fco.gov.uk/forcedmarriage