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Two-year-old at risk of becoming a victim of forced marriage | Two-year-old at risk of becoming a victim of forced marriage |
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A two-year-old has been identified as a potential victim of forced marriage, according to the Foreign Office. | A two-year-old has been identified as a potential victim of forced marriage, according to the Foreign Office. |
The child, believed to be the youngest ever victim at risk of forced marriage in the UK, was among 250 children helped by a governmental specialist unit last year. | The child, believed to be the youngest ever victim at risk of forced marriage in the UK, was among 250 children helped by a governmental specialist unit last year. |
The Forced Marriage Unit, a joint initiative of the Foreign Office and Home Office, is able to intervene where there is a belief that a child under 18 could be a victim. | The Forced Marriage Unit, a joint initiative of the Foreign Office and Home Office, is able to intervene where there is a belief that a child under 18 could be a victim. |
Carla Thomas, head of the unit, said that cases with very young victims involved the promise of future marriage. | Carla Thomas, head of the unit, said that cases with very young victims involved the promise of future marriage. |
The unit gave advice or support in 1,485 cases last year, according to its latest statistics, which showed that 16 to 25-year-olds were most at risk of being forced into marriage. The oldest victim was 71. | The unit gave advice or support in 1,485 cases last year, according to its latest statistics, which showed that 16 to 25-year-olds were most at risk of being forced into marriage. The oldest victim was 71. |
The unit can report cases involving children under 18 to social services, which has a responsibility to safeguard the child. Civil courts also have the power to issue forced marriage protection orders to stop weddings taking place. | The unit can report cases involving children under 18 to social services, which has a responsibility to safeguard the child. Civil courts also have the power to issue forced marriage protection orders to stop weddings taking place. |
The 1,485 cases known to the unit last year involved 60 different countries – 47% involved Pakistan, 11% Bangladesh and 8% India. More than 80% of the victims were female. | The 1,485 cases known to the unit last year involved 60 different countries – 47% involved Pakistan, 11% Bangladesh and 8% India. More than 80% of the victims were female. |
Outside Britain the unit's work often involves embassy staff trying to rescue victims who may have been held captive and forced into getting married. | Outside Britain the unit's work often involves embassy staff trying to rescue victims who may have been held captive and forced into getting married. |
The unit also said there were 114 cases involving people with disabilities, and 22 involving those who identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. | The unit also said there were 114 cases involving people with disabilities, and 22 involving those who identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. |
Jeremy Browne, the Home Office minister, said the figures showed an alarming number of victims whom it was vital to protect: "Forced marriage is a devastating form of abuse that is absolutely unacceptable in our society." | Jeremy Browne, the Home Office minister, said the figures showed an alarming number of victims whom it was vital to protect: "Forced marriage is a devastating form of abuse that is absolutely unacceptable in our society." |
David Cameron has pledged to make forced marriage a criminal offence in England and Wales. Ministers hope legislation will be brought forward in 2013 or 2014. | David Cameron has pledged to make forced marriage a criminal offence in England and Wales. Ministers hope legislation will be brought forward in 2013 or 2014. |
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