Hidden shame of forced marriage goes on agenda

With hotspots identified in Teesside and Tyneside, specialist charity Karma Nirvana has organised a series of talks to highlight the problem.

Cleveland Police set up a dedicated telephone hotline in 2008 in an attempt to address the issue, which nationally results in at least 12 killings a year, and countless suicides.

Hundreds of young women and men are rescued from abroad annually, and thousands desperate for help call specialist advice lines.

Many are taken from their schools at this time of year, and never return following the holidays.

Detective Chief Inspector Peter McPhillips, who coordinates the Cleveland Police Choice helpline, said: “We get, on average, 20 to 25 calls a month to the helpline, not all of them are about forced marriages or honour-based violence.

“If any of the calls are urgent, we have a vulnerable people’s unit that can deal with any incident.

“It about raising awareness of the problem and working together with other agencies to share information.

“If a school has concerns that a child is being taken away on a long holiday, they are able to contact the unit and raise the issue. There could be a legitimate reason for the trip, but if we know about it we can check it out properly.”

Tomorrow, campaigners from Karma Nirvana will address representatives from the police, domestic violence teams, child protection groups, health workers, schools, social workers and charities on the issues, the law, and what they can do to save lives.

“It is not a cultural problem, it is abuse,” said charity co-founder Jasvinder Sanghera, whose campaign has Government support.

“The sooner people start to regard forced marriage in the same way they do domestic violence, the better it will be for those affected by it.”

The event takes place at Gosforth Civic Hall, from 10am to 1pm.

Karma Nirvana’s helpline is on 0800-599-9247.

Cleveland Police’s free Choice helpline is on 0800-599- 9365.