HOME OFFICE News
Release (098/2007) issued by The Government News Network on 4 June 2007
Guidelines to
assist health professionals who suspect cases of forced marriage
are today launched by the Government.
Aimed at frontline practitioners such as GPs, school nurses,
midwives, and A&E staff, the guidelines provide practical
advice on how to recognise the warning signs, and what to do if a
patient discloses that they have been, or are about to be, forced
to marry.
Each year approximately 300 cases of forced marriage are reported
to the Government's Forced Marriage Unit. But many more come
to the attention of the police, social care services, health,
education and voluntary organisations.
Evidence suggests many victims assume that health professionals
cannot help them and they may not feel confident in expressing
their concerns. Feedback from health professionals is they would
like to do more but aren't always sure how.
Consultations with health professionals may be one of the few
occasions when the victim is unsupervised by a family member and
by being aware of the warning signs and making routine enquiries,
they may encourage victims to speak out.
The guidelines, which are a joint initiative by the Foreign &
Commonwealth Office (FCO), Home Office and the Department of
Health, detail cases such as Sanita who came to the UK following a
forced marriage. While attending a local hospital to tend to
injuries that were inflicted by her husband, the consultant was
able to speak to Sanita alone and she told him everything. To this
day, Sanita still genuinely believes the consultant saved her life.
On launching the guidelines, FCO Minister Lord Triesman said:
"Since 1999, the Government has been providing consular
assistance to British and dual nationals forced into marriage
overseas. As part of our ongoing commitment to tackle forced
marriage we have, today, launched guidelines for health
professionals which complements our previous guidelines for social
workers, police officers and education professionals. I hope that
this new guidance will allow health professionals to have the
necessary tools to equip themselves to deal with issues on forced marriage."
Home Office Minister Baroness Scotland said:
"Forced marriage is a violation of internationally
recognised human rights standards and can never be justified,
including on religious or cultural grounds.
"It is terrible for those women, children and men who find
themselves in an often violent and abusive situation against their
will. The Government is determined to help the victims of forced
marriages and health professionals form part of the crucial
frontline work that plays such an important role in saving lives
and reducing serious harm."
Public Health Minister Caroline Flint said:
"Forced marriage affects children and adults as well as men
and women from a wide range of communities. An interview with a
health professional may be the first and only opportunity victims
have to tell someone about what is happening to them.
"This new guidance will help health professionals recognise
the warning signs of forced marriage, understand the danger faced
by victims and respond to their needs sensitively and effectively.
"I want to express my gratitude for the important work done
by the Forced Marriage Unit in combating forced marriage across so
many areas, in the UK and overseas."
Dr Peter Carter, General Secretary of the Royal College of
Nursing (RCN), said:
"The RCN welcomes the launch of these guidelines. Health
professionals need sound direction and effective support if they
are to deliver the best possible care for vulnerable patients. We
will look with interest to see how the guidelines are practically
implemented and further developed."
Barbara Cox, designated nurse for safeguarding children for
Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust, who is also a
management committee member of a local Domestic Abuse Services
Agency, said:
"I welcome this guidance. It is a very easy to read document
and it makes a clear distinction between 'arranged' and
'forced' marriages. It will be an invaluable aid to all
workers. It very simply gives background information, advice and
guidance on the signs of forced marriage and on the help available
but most of all it raises awareness of the effect of forced
marriage on individuals. It is a very useful addition to our toolbox."
The guidelines, 'Dealing with cases of forced
marriage', are part of a series that the Forced Marriage Unit
has produced for teachers, police officers and social workers.
Notes for Editors
1. A full set of these Guidelines is available from the FCO
website: http://www.fco.gov.uk/forcedmarriage
2. The guidelines will provide assistance to health professionals
dealing with cases of forced marriage involving young people and
vulnerable adults. The guidelines refer to a number of scenarios
with which a health professional can be confronted and then
outline what action to undertake, who to contact and related best practice.