Forced marriages in UK:

Hundreds of children fearing for their lives have called a new national helpline set up to assist victims of forced marriages since its launch four months ago, The Independent has learnt. Many are seeking ways to escape parents and family members who are trying to force them into unwanted marriages. Others have said they fear becoming victims of so-called “honour killings”, because of social and sexual behaviour that their community disapproves of.

According to the first national breakdown of callers, an average of 62 victims are phoning for help every week. One in 10 is under the age of 16. One 14-year-old girl said she was in fear of her life because she had become pregnant and thought her parents would kill her or marry her off if they found out.

(…) According to Jasvinder Sanghera, who was disowned by her family for refusing a forced marriage and went on to set up Karma Nirvana, the youngest caller to the new helpline was 13.

“We have to move away from thinking that forced marriages and honour-based violence only affect a few people,” she said. “These numbers will be just the tip of the iceberg.”

Activists believe schools must do more to train teachers to be aware of the tell-tale signs that indicate a pupil might be at risk of a forced marriage so that they can alert the correct authorities without tipping off potentially violent family members.

Forced marriages: the trail of misery and fear in Britain – Home News, UK – The Independent.

And this is UK!! It’s not Pakistan, Saudi Arabia or Sudan.

Related posts:

• Saudi Arabia: another child marriage.
• Pakistan: kidnapped, forcibly converted to Islam and married.
• Yemen: divorced 10-year-old speaks openly about her marriage.
• Children’s marriage in Islam: some comments.
• Social movement against child brides in Yemen.
• India: the “Dissapearing Daughters” report (II).

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