![New Study by Lincoln and Bristol Universities Sheds Light on Forced Marriages in England and Wales, Advocates for Enhanced Protection](https://news.europawire.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/New-Study-by-Lincoln-and-Bristol-Universities-Sheds-Light-on-Forced-Marriages-in-England-and-Wales-Advocates-for-Enhanced-Protection.jpg)
New Study by Lincoln and Bristol Universities Sheds Light on Forced Marriages in England and Wales, Advocates for Enhanced Protection
(IN BRIEF) A study conducted by the University of Lincoln and University of Bristol has revealed that forced marriages continue to be a widespread issue in England and Wales. The research focused on Forced Marriage Protection Orders (FMPOs), which aim to prevent forced marriages, and uncovered the scale of the problem while proposing crucial measures to better protect victims. Forced marriages, classified as a form of domestic violence, often lead to further crimes, including rape. The study highlighted the pressure forced marriages place on police forces and local authorities across the country. Key findings included the vulnerability of individuals aged 16-21, with victims as young as 11, and the occurrence of forced marriages in various communities beyond South Asian or Middle Eastern diasporas. The research recommended gaining an understanding of more subtle forms of coercion, enhancing safeguarding between agencies, and implementing systems to address post-FMPO expiration pressures. The report was presented to MPs and frontline safeguarding services at the House of Commons.
(PRESS RELEASE) BRISTOL, 18-May-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — A groundbreaking study has unveiled the pervasive presence of forced marriages in England and Wales, shedding light on the urgent need for reforms to safeguard victims. The research, focusing on Forced Marriage Protection Orders, a civil injunction aimed at preventing forced marriages, highlights the extent of the issue and proposes crucial measures to enhance victim protection.
Forced marriage, characterized by the absence of consent from one or both parties, is categorized as a form of domestic violence that often leads to additional crimes such as rape. The study, jointly led by the University of Lincoln and the University of Bristol, emphasizes the immense strain that forced marriages place on police forces and local authorities across the nation.
Family courts are currently granting Forced Marriage Protection Orders (FMPOs) daily in an effort to address the problem. Over the past decade, approximately 250 FMPOs, equivalent to around five per week, have been approved each year.
Co-lead author Aisha K. Gill, Professor of Criminology at the University of Bristol, explained, “This research reveals that Forced Marriage Protection Orders are a double-edged sword. While they can prevent forced marriages and safeguard victims, they can also escalate the risk of honor-based violence, including abduction, physical assaults, and rape.”
Key findings from the research, funded by the Nuffield Foundation, include:
- The most common age range for individuals subjected to forced marriages was 16-21, with victims as young as 11.
- People with disabilities and those identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, Trans, queer+ (LGBTQ+) were particularly vulnerable to forced marriages.
- Forced marriages were found to occur not only within South Asian or Middle Eastern diaspora communities but also in Irish, Nigerian, Somali, and other communities.
- In extreme cases, attempts to prevent forced marriages have resulted in perpetrators fleeing the country, kidnapping victims, issuing threats of violence, and committing acts of torture and rape.
- Since the legal minimum age for marriage in England and Wales was raised to 18 earlier this year, any actions intended to cause a child to marry, even without coercion, are considered forced marriage.
Project lead Sundari Anitha, Professor of Gender, Violence, and Work at the University of Lincoln, emphasized, “While this recent legal change represents a step towards preventing forced marriages, we must ensure that existing provisions effectively protect victims. Although Forced Marriage Protection Orders offer an injunctive remedy with great potential, further work is required to fully harness their benefits.”
The research drew upon data from nearly 600 case files from police forces nationwide. It involved the analysis of approximately 40 reported FMPO judgements and over 50 interviews with practitioners, victims, and survivors of forced marriages. This comprehensive approach provided a detailed understanding of the gaps in protection and proposed strategies to address them.
The main recommendations put forth by the research are:
- Developing an understanding of more subtle forms of coercion, such as emotional pressure, as well as emerging types like institutional imprisonment in foreign countries.
- Implementing improved and coordinated safeguarding measures between different agencies, which continue even after obtaining an FMPO.
- Establishing systems to flag and follow up when FMPOs expire, as this is often when the pressure to marry resurfaces.
The interviews with victims and analysis of police case files provided unique insights into the traumatic experiences associated with forced marriages. For example, one case involved a 17-year-old Indian girl residing in the UK who, after being raped, faced pressure from her parents to agree to marriage as a means to overcome family shame. She eventually sought
police assistance, leading to the issuance of an FMPO that enabled her to avoid the forced marriage and find secure accommodation.
Another case involved a 20-year-old Saudi woman, raised in the UK, who revealed her same-sex relationship to her family. She was deceived into returning to her parents’ home, where she overheard plans to send her back to Saudi Arabia for a forced marriage. Subjected to repeated choking and exorcism attempts by her father, she managed to escape with the help of her girlfriend. After obtaining an FMPO, she found safe housing in a confidential location, where she is currently rebuilding her life.
A third case concerned a 21-year-old Somali man living in London, whose parents reluctantly consented to his marriage to his Somali girlfriend. However, upon discovering their son’s smoking habit and disapproval of his wife’s attire and Western lifestyle, his parents escorted him back to Somalia under the pretext of his grandmother’s illness. There, he was imprisoned in a “cultural rehabilitation center” and coerced to divorce his wife and marry a woman of their choice. With the assistance of his wife, he contacted the police, who sought an FMPO requiring his parents to bring him back to the UK, where he was reunited with his wife.
Professor Anitha remarked, “These orders differ from other injunctions for domestic violence, as victims seeking FMPOs often continue living in their family homes or maintain contact with their perpetrators, who are typically their parents. By ensuring continued collaboration among services after an order is granted, a protective shield can be created to ensure ongoing safety. Treating FMPOs as standalone solutions can expose victims to further harm.”
Professor Gill added, “Factors such as insufficient awareness regarding the complex coercive pressures faced by victims/survivors, gaps between agencies, challenges in multi-agency collaboration, and limited access to services due to financial constraints often hinder the provision of effective support. When agencies work together and practitioners comprehend these lived realities, the risks associated with Forced Marriage Protection Orders can be minimized.”
The research report was presented to UK’s Members of Parliament and representatives from various frontline safeguarding services at the House of Commons this week.
Media contacts:
Email: press-office@bristol.ac.uk
SOURCE: University of Bristol
- Astor Asset Management 3 Ltd: Salinas Pliego Incumple Préstamo de $110 Millones USD y Viola Regulaciones Mexicanas
- Astor Asset Management 3 Ltd: Salinas Pliego Verstößt gegen Darlehensvertrag über 110 Mio. USD und Mexikanische Wertpapiergesetze
- ChargeEuropa zamyka rundę finansowania, której przewodził fundusz Shift4Good tym samym dokonując historycznej francuskiej inwestycji w polski sektor elektromobilności
- Strengthening EU Protections: Robert Szustkowski calls for safeguarding EU citizens’ rights to dignity
- Digi Communications NV announces the release of H1 2024 Financial Results
- Digi Communications N.V. announces that conditional stock options were granted to a director of the Company’s Romanian Subsidiary
- Digi Communications N.V. announces Investors Call for the presentation of the H1 2024 Financial Results
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the conclusion of a share purchase agreement by its subsidiary in Portugal
- Digi Communications N.V. Announces Rating Assigned by Fitch Ratings to Digi Communications N.V.
- Digi Communications N.V. announces significant agreements concluded by the Company’s subsidiaries in Spain
- SGW Global Appoints Telcomdis as the Official European Distributor for Motorola Nursery and Motorola Sound Products
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the availability of the instruction regarding the payment of share dividend for the 2023 financial year
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the exercise of conditional share options by the executive directors of the Company, for the year 2023, as approved by the Company’s Ordinary General Shareholders’ Meetings from 18th May 2021 and 28th December 2022
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the granting of conditional stock options to Executive Directors of the Company based on the general shareholders’ meeting approval from 25 June 2024
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the OGMS resolutions and the availability of the approved 2023 Annual Report
- Czech Composer Tatiana Mikova Presents Her String Quartet ‘In Modo Lidico’ at Carnegie Hall
- SWIFTT: A Copernicus-based forest management tool to map, mitigate, and prevent the main threats to EU forests
- WickedBet Unveils Exciting Euro 2024 Promotion with Boosted Odds
- Museum of Unrest: a new space for activism, art and design
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the conclusion of a Senior Facility Agreement by companies within Digi Group
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the agreements concluded by Digi Romania (formerly named RCS & RDS S.A.), the Romanian subsidiary of the Company
- Green Light for Henri Hotel, Restaurants and Shops in the “Alter Fischereihafen” (Old Fishing Port) in Cuxhaven, opening Summer 2026
- Digi Communications N.V. reports consolidated revenues and other income of EUR 447 million, adjusted EBITDA (excluding IFRS 16) of EUR 140 million for Q1 2024
- Digi Communications announces the conclusion of Facilities Agreements by companies from Digi Group
- Digi Communications N.V. Announces the convocation of the Company’s general shareholders meeting for 25 June 2024 for the approval of, among others, the 2023 Annual Report
- Digi Communications NV announces Investors Call for the presentation of the Q1 2024 Financial Results
- Digi Communications intends to propose to shareholders the distribution of dividends for the fiscal year 2023 at the upcoming General Meeting of Shareholders, which shall take place in June 2024
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the availability of the Romanian version of the 2023 Annual Report
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the availability of the 2023 Annual Report
- International Airlines Group adopts Airline Economics by Skailark ↗️
- BevZero Spain Enhances Sustainability Efforts with Installation of Solar Panels at Production Facility
- Digi Communications N.V. announces share transaction made by an Executive Director of the Company with class B shares
- BevZero South Africa Achieves FSSC 22000 Food Safety Certification
- Digi Communications N.V.: Digi Spain Enters Agreement to Sell FTTH Network to International Investors for Up to EUR 750 Million
- Patients as Partners® Europe Announces the Launch of 8th Annual Meeting with 2024 Keynotes and Topics
- driveMybox continues its international expansion: Hungary as a new strategic location
- Monesave introduces Socialised budgeting: Meet the app quietly revolutionising how users budget
- Digi Communications NV announces the release of the 2023 Preliminary Financial Results
- Digi Communications NV announces Investors Call for the presentation of the 2023 Preliminary Financial Results
- Lensa, един от най-ценените търговци на оптика в Румъния, пристига в България. Първият шоурум е открит в София
- Criando o futuro: desenvolvimento da AENO no mercado de consumo em Portugal
- Digi Communications N.V. Announces the release of the Financial Calendar for 2024
- Customer Data Platform Industry Attracts New Participants: CDP Institute Report
- eCarsTrade annonce Dirk Van Roost au poste de Directeur Administratif et Financier: une décision stratégique pour la croissance à venir
- BevZero Announces Strategic Partnership with TOMSA Desil to Distribute equipment for sustainability in the wine industry, as well as the development of Next-Gen Dealcoholization technology
- Digi Communications N.V. announces share transaction made by a Non-Executive Director of the Company with class B shares
- Digi Spain Telecom, the subsidiary of Digi Communications NV in Spain, has concluded a spectrum transfer agreement for the purchase of spectrum licenses
- Эксперт по торговле акциями Сергей Левин запускает онлайн-мастер-класс по торговле сырьевыми товарами и хеджированию
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the conclusion by Company’s Portuguese subsidiary of a framework agreement for spectrum usage rights
- North Texas Couple Completes Dream Purchase of Ouray’s Iconic Beaumont Hotel
- Предприниматель и филантроп Михаил Пелег подчеркнул важность саммита ООН по Целям устойчивого развития 2023 года в Нью-Йорке
- Digi Communications NV announces the release of the Q3 2023 Financial Results
- IQ Biozoom Innovates Non-Invasive Self-Testing, Empowering People to Self-Monitor with Laboratory Precision at Home
- BevZero Introduces Energy Saving Tank Insulation System to Europe under name “BevClad”
- Motorvision Group reduces localization costs using AI dubbing thanks to partnering with Dubformer
- Digi Communications NV Announces Investors Call for the Q3 2023 Financial Results
- Jifiti Granted Electronic Money Institution (EMI) License in Europe
- Предприниматель Михаил Пелег выступил в защиту образования и грамотности на мероприятии ЮНЕСКО, посвящённом Международному дню грамотности
- VRG Components Welcomes New Austrian Independent Agent
- Digi Communications N.V. announces that Digi Spain Telecom S.L.U., its subsidiary in Spain, and abrdn plc have completed the first investment within the transaction having as subject matter the financing of the roll out of a Fibre-to-the-Home (“FTTH”) network in Andalusia, Spain
- Продюсер Михаил Пелег, как сообщается, работает над новым сериалом с участием крупной голливудской актрисы
- Double digit growth in global hospitality industry for Q4 2023
- ITC Deploys Traffic Management Solution in Peachtree Corners, Launches into United States Market
- Cyviz onthult nieuwe TEMPEST dynamische controlekamer in Benelux, Nederland
- EU-Funded CommuniCity Launches its Second Open Call
- Astrologia pode dar pistas sobre a separação de Sophie Turner e Joe Jonas
- La astrología puede señalar las razones de la separación de Sophie Turner y Joe Jonas
- Empowering Europe against infectious diseases: innovative framework to tackle climate-driven health risks
- Montachem International Enters Compostable Materials Market with Seaweed Resins Company Loliware
- Digi Communications N.V. announces that its Belgian affiliated companies are moving ahead with their operations
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the exercise of conditional share options by an executive director of the Company, for the year 2022, as approved by the Company’s Ordinary General Shareholders’ Meeting from 18 May 2021
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the availability of the instruction regarding the payment of share dividend for the 2022 financial year
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the availability of the 2022 Annual Report
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the general shareholders’ meeting resolutions from 18 August 2023 approving amongst others, the 2022 Annual Accounts
- Русские эмигранты усиливают призывы «Я хочу, чтобы вы жили» через искусство
- BevZero Introduces State-of-the-Art Mobile Flash Pasteurization Unit to Enhance Non-Alcoholic Beverage Stability at South Africa Facility
- Russian Emigrés Amplify Pleas of “I Want You to Live” through Art
- Digi Communications NV announces the release of H1 2023 Financial Results
- Digi Communications NV Announces Investors Call for the H1 2023 Financial Results
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the convocation of the Company’s general shareholders meeting for 18 August 2023 for the approval of, among others, the 2022 Annual Report
- “Art Is Our Weapon”: Artists in Exile Deploy Their Talents in Support of Peace, Justice for Ukraine
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the availability of the 2022 Annual Financial Report
- “AmsEindShuttle” nuevo servicio de transporte que conecta el aeropuerto de Eindhoven y Ámsterdam
- Un nuovo servizio navetta “AmsEindShuttle” collega l’aeroporto di Eindhoven ad Amsterdam
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the conclusion of an amendment agreement to the Facility Agreement dated 26 July 2021, by the Company’s Spanish subsidiary
- Digi Communications N.V. announces an amendment of the Company’s 2023 financial calendar
- iGulu F1: Brewing Evolution Unleashed
- Почему интерактивная «Карта мира» собрала ключевые антивоенные сообщества россиян по всему миру и становится для них важнейшим инструментом
- Hajj Minister meets EU ambassadors to Saudi Arabia
- Online Organizing Platform “Map of Peace” Emerges as Key Tool for Diaspora Activists
- Digi Communications N.V. announces that conditional stock options were granted to executive directors of the Company based on the general shareholders’ meeting approval from 18 May 2021
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the release of the Q1 2023 financial results
- AMBROSIA – A MULTIPLEXED PLASMO-PHOTONIC BIOSENSING PLATFORM FOR RAPID AND INTELLIGENT SEPSIS DIAGNOSIS AT THE POINT-OF-CARE
- Digi Communications NV announces Investors Call for the Q1 2023 Financial Results presentation
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the amendment of the Company’s 2023 financial calendar
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the conclusion of two Facilities Agreements by the Company’s Romanian subsidiary
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the conclusion of a Senior Facility Agreement by the Company’s Romanian subsidiary
- Patients as Partners Europe Returns to London and Announces Agenda Highlights
- GRETE PROJECT RESULTS PRESENTED TO TEXTILE INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS AT INTERNATIONAL CELLULOSE FIBRES CONFERENCE
- Digi Communications N.V. announces Digi Spain Telecom S.L.U., its subsidiary in Spain, entered into an investment agreement with abrdn to finance the roll out of a Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) network in Andalusia, Spain
- XSpline SPA / University of Linz (Austria): the first patient has been enrolled in the international multicenter clinical study for the Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy DeliveRy guided by non-Invasive electrical and VEnous anatomy assessment (CRT-DRIVE)
- Franklin Junction Expands Host Kitchen® Network To Europe with Digital Food Hall Pioneer Casper
- Unihertz a dévoilé un nouveau smartphone distinctif, Luna, au MWC 2023 de Barcelone
- Unihertz Brachte ein Neues, Markantes Smartphone, Luna, auf dem MWC 2023 in Barcelona
- Editor's pick archive....