Rotherham charity warns young people more at risk of forced marriage in summer break
As children across South Yorkshire start the school holidays, a local charity's warning some could be at risk of being taken abroad - and forced to marry a stranger.
As children across South Yorkshire start the school holidays, a local charity is warning some could be at risk of being taken abroad - and forced to marry a stranger.
"Lots of families will be going on genuine holidays," says Zlakha Ahmed, chief executive of Apna Haq which works with school children in Rotherham.
"But for those families that are prone to go down this road, it becomes an ideal time to do this.
"You can have a young person who genuinely believes they're going abroad for a family holiday. It may be the first time that they're going over, they may be very excited. Or it could be a young person who has some inkling that there may be a potential marriage.
“Once they get over there, they realise and then it becomes very difficult to move away and say no to that. Most young people do end up getting married, and then come back to Britain and ask for help.”
Apna Haq says it has had young people coming forward asking for support after being told forced marriage is illegal.
They've now applied for government funding to roll the sessions out to more local schools.
It comes as the Home Offices launches a national campaign to raise awareness of forced marriage among the most at-risk communities.
Minister for Vulnerability, Safeguarding and Countering Extremism Sarah Newton said: “This Government is absolutely clear - forcing someone to marry against their will is a crime. It is an abhorrent practice that can destroy lives, and we will not allow political or cultural sensitivities to get in the way of tackling it.
“The UK is a world-leader in the fight to stamp out forced marriage. We have strong legislation in place, and our dedicated Forced Marriage Unit is leading efforts to combat this crime both at home and abroad.”
To give more victims the confidence to come forward, the Government recently announced that it will be introducing lifelong anonymity for victims of forced marriage through the Policing and Crime Bill.
Zlakha agrees it’s about raising awareness in communities and families as well as in schools: "They need to be educated and to be told that forced marriage is against the law, and that if these types of behaviours are reported, action against them will be taken."