Forced marriages, home secretary vows to take action over forced marriages

Charities have warned British women and teenage girls have been forced into abusive marriages as a result of visas being granted to their foreign husbands. Sajid Javid said that there is no place in British society and has vowed to do more to combat forced marriages.

 

The home secretary said forced marriage was a "despicable, inhumane, uncivilised practice that has no place whatsoever in Britain". He added: "We will be doing more to combat it and support victims."Those who force British women into marriage, be warned that we are redoubling our efforts to make sure you pay for your crimes."

 

Data obtained by the Times stated that officials dealt with nearly 90 cases of victims trying to block visas last year of which almost half were still issued. 

 

Charities are claiming that women and girls are being physically and sexually abused by the men whose cases go unchallenged by authorities. A Home Office source says it "categorically denies" the allegation that immigration officials were "turning a blind eye" amid concerns over cultural or religious sensitivities. 

 

The Home Office has received 175 inquiries about victims trying to block spouses' visas last year according to figures released under the freedom of information laws. 88 of these became full cases.

 

The women had been forced to marry in countries including India, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Visas were still issued in 42 cases, while in 10 more the decision is still pending, or an appeal is being heard.  

 

The founder of the support charity Karma Nirvana, Jasyinder Sanghera told the Times: "Even when officials know it's a forced marriage, they see tradition, culture or religion and they're reticent to deal with it. They are turning a blind eye."

 

In 2014 laws making it illegal to force someone into marriage in England and Wales were introduced. Being found guilty carries a jail sentence of up to seven years. Powers were also given to the police to issue forced marriage protection orders to help victims, of which if breached could see a jail sentence of up to five years. 

 

The shadow home secretary, Diane Abbott, said: "The government has been too slow to act on preventing domestic abusers being granted visas through marriage. It also has no idea of the scale of the problem.

 

"Government immigration policy means that people in the system are routinely disregarded. But not listening to vulnerable women can have terrible consequences and lead to a life of abuse. Immigration applicants must be heard, and the government must act decisively on this issue."

 

If you require, confidential legal advice on a similar matter then please call our specialist team of solicitors on 01204 526 465

 

 

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