Make an enquiry

    Enquiry Form









    Contact

      Enquiry Form






      Supporting Document


      We are welcoming clients back to our offices Find Out More
      FJG Solicitors in Essex, Colchester, Chelmsford, London – Fisher Jones Greenwood
      • 0845 543 5700
      • [email protected]
      • Make an enquiry
      • Online Payment
      • Home
      • Services
        • Services for you
          • Advocacy
          • Civil & Commercial Disputes
          • Clinical and Medical Negligence
          • Conveyancing
          • Employment Law
          • Family Law
          • Children Law
          • Immigration & Visas
          • Notary Services
          • Personal Injury
          • Wills, Life Planning & Probate
        • Services for business
          • Academies Portal
          • Agricultural and Rural
          • Business Immigration
          • Commercial Dispute Resolution
          • Commercial Litigation
          • Professional Negligence
          • Commercial Property
          • Construction Law
          • Planning Consultancy
          • Corporate and Commercial
          • Education Services
          • Employment Law
          • Healthcare Services
          • International Services
          • Landlord & Tenant Services
        • Services by sector
          • Agriculture & Estates
          • Care Homes
          • Charities & Social Enterprise
          • Construction
          • Education Law
          • Energy
          • Family Owned Business
          • Healthcare & Dentistry
      • Our people
      • About us
        • CSR
        • Awards
        • Our Vision
        • Accessibility
        • Careers
        • Work Experience
        • Equality & Diversity
        • FLOCC
        • FJG Foundation
        • SAFE Forum
      • News, Events & Insights
      • Blog
      • Podcasts
      • Contact us
        • Colchester
        • Chelmsford
        • Billericay
        • Clacton-on-Sea
        • Holland-on-Sea
        • Frinton-on-Sea
        • London

      Forced Marriage Unit statistics 2020

      20 September 2021 by Lucie Wilkinson

      What is Forced Marriage?

      ‘A forced marriage is one in which one or both spouses do not (or, in the case of minors or some adults who lack the relevant mental capacity, cannot) consent to the marriage, and violence, threats, or any other form of coercion is involved’.

      Although it is often thought that forced marriages occur within a certain country or religion they occur across all six continents. There are, however, unfortunately, ‘focus countries’ and within these countries the risk of forced marriage is increased. In 2020, other than the UK, the highest number of cases dealt with by the Forced Marriage Unit were in Pakistan (286 cases), Bangladesh (69 cases), India (44 cases), Afghanistan (30 cases) and Somalia (15 cases).

       

      Forced Marriage Unit

      The Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) was established in 2005 to lead on the Government’s forced marriage policy, outreach and casework. The FMU work with those who have been forced into marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) victims who are overseas.

      In 2020, the FMU gave advice or support in 759 cases relating to a forced marriage and/or a possible FGM, ‘this comprised 750 cases solely related to forced marriage, 3 cases related to both forced marriage and FGM, and 6 cases solely related to FGM’. The 759 cases in 2020 represents a 44% decrease on the average number of cases received annually between 2011 and 2019 (this being 1,359). It is thought that the coronavirus pandemic impacted these figures with the restrictions on weddings and travel. In the first month of lockdown in the UK, referrals to the FMU decreased, on average, from 82 cases between January to March 2020 to 44 cases between April to June 2020.

      Statistics from 2020

      Shockingly, there were:

      • 199 cases of forced marriage that involved victims below 18 years of age
      • 278 cases involving victims aged 18-25 years of age
      • 66 cases involving victims with mental capacity concerns
      • 603 cases involving female victims
      • 156 cases involving male victims

      Men are particularly represented in cases where the victim is LGBTQ+ (63% being men) or where the victim has mental capacity concerns (55% being men).

      80% of cases the FMU had referred to them in 2020 were of victims who were in the UK at the time of referral. 7% of these had no overseas element, with the potential of actual forced marriage taking placed entirely within the UK.

      For the first time, in 2020 the FMU recorded the nationalities of the victims they supported. ‘56% of victims (423 cases) were British nationals, including dual nationals and 33% (252 cases) were non-British nationals.’ The nationality of individuals who were unknown totalled 11% of cases (84 cases).

      Status of the marriage

      The FMU break down the status of a marriage into four categories:

      1. UK Pre (victim is in the UK and marriage is yet to take place)
      2. UK Post (victim is in the UK and the marriage has taken place)
      3. Overseas Pre (victim is overseas and the marriage is yet to take place)
      4. Overseas Post (victim is overseas and the marriage has taken place)

      The FMU categorise the status of a marriage to be able to prioritise getting help to the victim who may need it first, such as a victim who is overseas and the wedding is imminent.

      The earlier the FMU are contacted, the greater the number of options available to support the victim.

      How do I get help?

      If you believe that you, or someone you know, are being forced into a marriage or FGM, or would like further advice from the FMU, they operate a helpline from 9am to 5pm  Monday to Friday on +44 (0) 20 7008 0151. Outside of these hours you can contact them on 020 7008 5000 if you are in the UK for 24/7 assistance. You can email them at [email protected] or in writing to:

      Forced Marriage Unit
      Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
      Consular Directorate
      King Charles Street
      London
      SW1A 2AH

      The FMU does not record data on religion.

      For more information you can access the FMU report on: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/forced-marriage-unit-statistics-2020/forced-marriage-unit-statistics-2020.

      I think I would like to take legal advice?

      If you would like more information as to how Fisher Jones Greenwood can help you, please contact our Family Team at 01206 700113 or email [email protected] for a confidential chat with one of our solicitors.

      Authors
      Archives
      Subscribe to RSS feed

      Recent Posts

      • Selling a Dentistry With an Expiring Lease
      • How important is making a Will?
      • The Importance of Seatbelts
      @FJGSolicitors

      What happens when a dentist wishes to sell their practice but the lease is due to expire? Leah Groves explains opt… https://t.co/mPGwLm93PP

      3 days

      This week marks Mental Health Awareness Week. It can be scarily easy to fall into the trap of your own mind when ba… https://t.co/KIC8JZQh6F

      4 days

      St Helena Wills Month campaign returns this June. Instead of paying the usual fees, you can donate to St Helena Hos… https://t.co/xS6fpoA8JZ

      5 days
      Billericay 01277 623132
      Chelmsford 01245 890110
      Colchester 01206 835300
      Clacton 01255 323103
      Holland-on-Sea 01255 818900
      London 08455 435700
      • Disclaimer
      • Accessibility
      • Terms & Conditions
      • Privacy Policy
      • Cookies
      • Price & Service
      • Signup to our Newsletter
      • COVID-19 Risk Assessment
      Website designed and built by Green Square

      Fisher Jones Greenwood is the trading name of Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP, a Limited Liability Partnership authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and registered in England ( Number: OC305854 ). A list of members is available for inspection at the registered office at Charter Court, Newcomen Way, Colchester Business Park, Colchester, Essex CO4 9YA

      This website uses cookies & data collection

      Our website uses cookies, which are small text files that are placed on your computer by websites that you visit to distinguish you from other users. They are widely used in order to help website owners like us provide you with the best user experience possible. They also provide us with information that can help us improve our websites and marketing activities. By clicking an item or link on this website, you agree to the use of cookies and other data collection.

      Find out more

      We are welcoming clients back to our offices

      Differing tiers and three lockdowns later, Fisher Jones Greenwood Solicitors are now pleased to be able to welcome clients safely back to our offices.

      Remote working and the digitalisation of the way we work, have been key to keeping FJG and the rest of the country going.

      • We are now able to offer, pre-booked face-to-face appointments. Although, we are still able to offer remote appointments if preferred.
      • You can continue to visit our offices at any time to post any correspondence and documents through letterboxes.

      If you are visiting an FJG office, covid-19 safety rules of social distancing, hand sanitization, and the wearing of masks will still apply.

      • Please be aware you will also need to have your temperature taken on arrival.
      • There will also be protective screens in place to protect you and our staff.

      Please do not hesitate to contact your legal adviser by email or by telephone should you have any worries or concerns. Alternatively, please call our main switchboard number (01206 835300), and a message to return your call will be relayed to the relevant person.

      Best wishes
      Paula Cameron
      Managing Partner