Forced Marriage Policy

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Review: Every two years

Signed:Headteacher

Review date: November 2018

Definition:

A 'forced'marriage (as distinctfromaconsensual'arranged'marriage)is definedas one conductedwithoutthe validconsentofatleastone ofthe parties andwhere duress isafactor.Duress cannotbejustifiedonreligiousorculturalgrounds.Forced marriagesofchildrenmay involve non-consensualand/orunderage sex,emotionalandpossiblyphysicalabuse andshouldbe regardedasachildprotectionissue andreferredto Children's SocialCare.

Althoughthereis no specific criminaloffence ofaforcedmarriage,the forcedmarriages ofchildren(and vulnerable adults) mayinvolve one ormore criminaloffences e.g.commonassault,crueltyto persons under 16, childabduction,rape,kidnapping,false imprisonmentandevenmurder.The ForcedMarriage(CivilProtection) Act2007 cameintoforce in November2008.TheAct gives thecourts a wide discretionto dealflexiblywitheachindividualcase,employingcivilremedies thatofferprotectionto victims withoutcriminalisingfamilymembers.Forced marriageis primarily,butnotexclusively,anissue ofabuse againstgirlsandyoungwomen: 'Mostcases involve youngwomenagedbetween13and30,althoughthereis evidence to suggestthatas manyas 15%of victims are male'(YoungPeople Vulnerable Adults FacingForcedMarriage: Practice Guidance forSocialWorkers).

Whilstthe majorityof cases encountered in the UKinvolve SouthAsianfamilies,partlyreflectingthe compositionofthe UKpopulation,there have beencasesinvolvingfamilies fromEastAsia,the Middle East,Europe andAfrica.Some

forcedmarriages take place inthe UKwithno overseas element,whilstothersinvolveapartnercomingfromoverseas oraBritishcitizenbeingsentabroad.

Recognition

Victims of existing or prospective forced marriages may be fearful of discussing their worries with friends and teachers, but may come to the attention of professionals for various behaviours or circumstances consistent with distress,

These mayinclude:

  • A familyhistoryof siblings beingforcedto marryorto marryearly;
  • A siblingwho suddenlydisappearedorwentabroad;
  • Frequentauthorisedabsences ortruancyfromschool/ lessons;
  • Socialisolation;
  • A suddendeclineineducationperformance,aspirations ormotivation;
  • Unreasonable restrictions onthe child'slibertye.g.accompaniedto / fromschool,notallowedto attendextra-curricularactivities;
  • Depression,self-harmingbehaviour,eatingdisorders;
  • Lethargyandinabilityto concentrate;
  • Physicalanddomestic violence andabuse;
  • Runningawayfromhome;
  • Reports of havingleftthe countrysuddenlyorbeingonanextendedfamilyholiday.

Response

Staffshouldnotmakeassumptions thatachildis atriskandtry to establishthefullfacts fromthe childatthe earliestopportunity.The childmustbe providedwiththe opportunityto speakonher/his own,in aprivate place.S/he mayfaceSignificantHarmifher/his familylearnthats/he has soughthelporadvice.

Mediationshouldnotbe attempted.The needs of victimsof forced marriagevary. Theymayneedhelpto avoidathreatenedforced marriageordealingwiththe consequences ofaforcedmarriage thathas alreadytakenplace.

Staffshouldseekconsultationandadvice fromthe designated/namedprofessionaland/orthe localLSCBidentifiedleadprofessionalonforcedmarriage.The ForcedMarriage Unitshouldalso be consulted(contactdetailsinAppendix2: KeyNationalContacts).

Where there is informationofanexistingorprospective forcedmarriage ofachildagedless than18years,childprotectionissues shouldbe addressedbyreferralto Children's SocialCare,withoutpriordiscussionwiththe familyorcommunity.

Further guidance and advice

  • The Rightto Choose - MultiAgencyStatutoryGuidance forDealingwithForcedMarriage;
  • Multi-AgencyPractice Guidelines - HandlingCases ofForcedMarriage(Publishedbythe ForcedMarriage Unitin July2009);
  • Guidance forLocalAuthorities onApplyingforForcedMarriage ProtectionOrders (publishedbythe MinistryofJustice inOctober2009).

The ForcedMarriage Unit(FMU)is Government's centralunitdealingwithforcedmarriage casework,policyandprojects.The FMUprovides confidentialinformationandassistance to potentialvictims andconcernedprofessionals

FMUstaffcanofferadvice andassistance to individuals who:

  • Feartheywillbe forced intoamarriage (inUK oroverseas);
  • Fearforafriendorrelative who maybe forced intoamarriage (inthe UK oroverseas);
  • Have beenforcedinto amarriage anddonotwantto supporttheirspouse'svisaapplication.