A recent study conducted by academics from the University of Bristol and the University of Lincoln has shed light on the distressing reality of forced marriages, revealing that LGBTQ+ individuals and other minority groups are disproportionately affected. By analyzing data from nearly 600 police case files across England and Wales, the researchers uncovered the magnitude of the problem and put forth urgent recommendations to provide better support for victims who have endured this harrowing ordeal.
Forced marriage, classified as a form of domestic violence, involves one or both parties being coerced into a marriage without their consent, often through pressure and abuse. This alarming study, which also included over 50 interviews with practitioners and victims, along with an analysis of 40 Forced Marriage Protection Orders (FMPO), exposes the widespread prevalence of this issue. Each year, approximately 250 FMPOs are approved, equivalent to an average of five injunctions granted every week.
Significantly, the research found that individuals with disabilities and those identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer face a higher risk of being forced into marriage against their will. While the most common age range for victims is between 16 and 21 years old, distressingly, the study identified cases involving boys and girls as young as 11. Importantly, the research challenged the prevailing notion that forced marriages primarily occur within South Asian or Middle Eastern communities, highlighting instances within Irish, Nigerian, Somali, and other communities.
One case exemplifies the severity of the issue. The researchers highlighted the story of a 20-year-old Saudi woman residing in the UK who disclosed her same-sex relationship and cohabitation with another woman to her family. Tragically, she was deceived into returning to her parents’ home, where she overheard their plans to send her to Saudi Arabia for a forced marriage. Subsequently, her father subjected her to repeated strangulation attempts, claiming to perform exorcisms to rid her of supposed “demons,” and forced her to undergo religious rituals involving the consumption and bathing in “holy water.” Fortunately, with the assistance of her girlfriend, she managed to escape, sought a Forced Marriage Protection Order, and eventually found refuge in a secret location, where she began to rebuild her life alongside her partner.
To address this urgent issue, the study’s professors put forth crucial recommendations. These include raising awareness among frontline safeguarding services about subtle forms of coercion, such as emotional pressure, which can be employed to force victims into marriages. Additionally, the researchers stressed the need for enhanced and coordinated safeguarding efforts among different agencies, even after an FMPO has been obtained, as pressure and abuse can resurface. They also advocated for the implementation of systems to flag and monitor the expiration of FMPOs, as failure to provide adequate protection can expose victims to further harm.
Forced Marriage Protection Orders serve as a double-edged sword, as highlighted by Aisha K. Gill, professor of criminology at the University of Bristol and co-lead author of the research. While these orders can prevent forced marriages and protect victims, they can also increase the risk of honor-based violence, including abduction, physical assaults, and rape. Sundari Anitha, project lead and professor of gender, violence, and work at the University of Lincoln, emphasized that these orders differ from other injunctions for domestic violence, as victims often continue living in their family homes or maintain contact with their perpetrators. Therefore, comprehensive post-order support and collaboration among various services are crucial to creating a protective shield for victims’ ongoing safety.
The study exposes the complex challenges faced by victims, including a lack of understanding among practitioners about the intricate coercive pressures they endure, fissures between agencies, missteps in multi-agency working, and the restriction of services due to financial constraints. By acknowledging these lived realities and fostering effective cooperation, the risks associated with Forced Marriage Protection Orders can be minimized.