Police get forced marriages guidelines

Many people fear being sent abroad after the wedding

Police in England and Wales are being told that "forced" marriages in some ethnic communities, are not just a cultural issue they should ignore.

The Home Office and the Foreign Office, together with police chiefs, are issuing guidelines today, to help officers deal more effectively with the victims.

And included in the advice is the warning that forced marriages may involve a number of criminal offences, including abduction.

Click here to watch our discussion on forced marriages

On Breakfast we spoke to Narina Anwar, who was almost married against her will, and Assistant Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe of the Association of Chief Police Officers.

Narina Anwar said:

We had an idea this was going to happen, but we went to Pakistan out of a sense of duty and guilt, we soon realised we couldn't get back to Britain, we were isolated and our parents told us we had to get married...it took us six months to escape...I don't blame our parents, they are not villains, they thought they were doing the right thing, we have reached a compromise...

Assistant Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe said:

There are some crimes that are being carried out in these cases which we can get involved in i.e. abduction, assault, we can provide refuge...we want to try and help.

Campaigners say police have been slow to take the issue seriously, but welcome the initiative.

They believe police have often been cautious to interfere in what they see as a domestic matter of a culturally sensitive nature.

Support

Although there is no specific criminal offence of "forcing someone to marry" the guidelines detail a number of other offences that may have taken place.

In the past perpetrators, who are usually parents or family members, have been prosecuted for offences including threatening behaviour, harassment, assault, kidnap and murder.

Once the marriage has taken place sexual intercourse without consent is rape.

The guidelines say some victims may need help avoiding a force marriage, while others will need support to deal with the consequences once it has taken place.

Taken overseas

Officers are told about ways in which they can identify whether a forced wedding is planned or has taken place.

And they are told that many victims may fear that they will be taken overseas once they are married.

The extent of the problem in Britain is unclear, although around 200 to 300 cases come to light every year.