U.K.: Misery of life trapped in a loveless forced marriage - Part II

NEWCASTLE, North East England (The Journal), March 8, 2008: With a Forced Marriages Act about to be put into place Hannah Davies speaks to a Newcastle mother-of-two on her forced marriage and finds out what is being done in the region to combat the problem. Part II of a two part feature. What is happening about forced marriages in the UK? FORCED marriages are those conducted without the consent of one or both parties, with pressure a factor, unlike arranged marriages which have the consent of both parties. Forced marriage is an abuse of human rights and a form of domestic violence. Victims often experience physical violence, rape, abduction, false imprisonment and enslavement, sexual abuse, mental and emotional abuse and at times, murder. Currently the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 is undergoing consultations and looks set to be put into place this autumn. The Bill will give guidance to police, domestic violence workers, health professionals. Cris McCurley, partner at Ben Hoare Bell solicitors in Newcastle, specialises in domestic cases. She says: “Forced marriages are an abuse of human rights and we, in this country are only at the beginning in our understanding of it from a legal perspective. “It is clear, however, that domestic violence, no matter in which context, cannot be tolerated. Honour killing and forced marriage needs to be integrated into the mainstream fight against domestic violence.” Most cases involve females between 13 and 30 although evidence suggests 15% are male. Each year around 300 cases of forced marriage are reported to the Forced Marriage Unit but many more come the attention of police, social services, health, educational and voluntary organisations. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Who to contact: National Forced Marriage Unit If you fear you may be forced into marriage overseas, or know someone else who may be, the unit can help. The sooner they know about the case, the more they can do to help, (0207) 008 0151, or email fmu@fco.gov.uk Other useful numbers. ARCH Reporting Line (0800) 032-3288 arch@newcastle.gov.uk Childline 0800 1111, www.childline.org.uk Crimestoppers (0800) 555 111, www.crimestoppers-uk.org. Domestic Violence Male Advice & Enquiry Line (0845) 605-2222. Karma Nirvana Asian Male Female Project, 01332-604098 The National Domestic Violence Helpline (0808) 200-0247. Women’s Aid (0191) 265-2148, www.womensaid.org.uk By Hannah Davies, The Journal © 2008 NCJ Media Limited.