By Shahida Rahman
Last year, teachers and doctors were informed to be on alert by the government as summer time sees a rise in forced marriages. Many young people, particularly girls, are travelling abroad believing that they are going on holiday, but discover that they are forcibly being married off against their will. The majority of them are from Pakistan, although it affects people from India and Bangladesh. Young boys and men are also affected.
A new law from Monday 16th June 2014 makes forced marriages a criminal offence, which will protect thousands of people. The majority of forced marriage victims are children. Parents who force their children to marry can be punished by up to seven years in prison. Until now, courts have only been able to issue civil orders to prevent victims being forced into marriage. There has been a rise in the number of reported cases. Last year, 1,302 cases were reported. It could also be the fact that more victims are having the courage to come forward.
Some may not wish to report their parents and many cases will go unreported. There will be many challenges in implementing this law.
I spoke to one woman, Shamina, last year who was taken to Bangladesh and forcibly married at the age of 16. She is now 33.
“I was told that my grandfather was very ill and we needed to go and see him. We hadn’t been back for many years. I was married off to my cousin within a week. I was threatened with physical and sexual violence if I didn’t comply and was told that I would never return to England. I was seen as bringing shame to the family for refusing. It was an awful experience. My own family did this to me. I had no one to talk to. I felt so isolated. The man I was married off to was an older man whose primary aim was to come to England.”
Shamina ran away from home when she returned to England after 3 months. She sought help and started a new life. “No girl should go through what I did. But sadly, this is still happening to many girls my age.”
I caught up with her and asked about what she thought of the new law. “It has come too late for some including me. But it will now protect many vulnerable people. Victims should not be afraid to report their parents if this is happening to them.”
The Forced Marriage Unit provides help and support to those affected: www.forcedmarriage.net and on 020 7008 0151 or Child Line 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk
