MPA supports calls to
change attitudes and promote awareness to tackle forced marriages
METROPOLITAN POLICE
AUTHORITY News Release (MPA 11/08) issued by The Government News
Network on 12 March 2008
Responding to the
report "Forced marriage, family cohesion and community
engagement: national learning through a case study of Luton"
by Dr Nazia Khanum OBE, Aneeta Prem, Metropolitan Police Authority
lead member on dishonour based violence, said:
"Being forced into a marriage against one's will is an
abuse of basic human rights.
"The police, partners in the criminal justice system, local
government and health agencies are determined to tackle the
problem, but there still needs to be a national strategy to ensure
consistency of service provision across the country.
"Existing legislation only deals with the results of
coercion into marriage - beatings, kidnap and, in the worst cases,
murder. Police are unable to quantify the full extent of the
problem because of the way these crimes are recorded, which leads
to difficulties in allocating appropriate resources.
"The MPA endorses the need to raise awareness amongst
communities, including good parenting, women's education and
the involvement of communities and faith leaders to make forced
marriage a thing of the past, as well as spread best practice.
"Victims, their friends and supporters may be reluctant to
approach statutory agencies and larger, national charities, but
will go to local community support groups. Unfortunately, these
may not have the counseling services and dedicated advice workers
to offer support themselves. Consequently, many victims do not
have access to services they really need.
"The MPA firmly believes we all have a duty to change
attitudes and promote awareness of the rights of all our citizens."
Notes to editors
1. Aneeta Prem is currently working in collaboration with the
Foreign and Commonwealth office to devise a website, primarily
aimed at women aged 15 to 40 years, that will publish information
for individuals suffering from, or working in the field of,
domestic violence issues.
2. "Forced marriage, family cohesion and community
engagement: national learning through a case study of Luton"
by Dr Nazia Khanum OBE, was published on 11 March 2008.
Website: http://www.mpa.gov.uk