The number of cases in which the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) gave advice or support has dropped for each of the last four years, declining from 1,507 in 2018 to 337 in 2021.
However, despite the numbers from 2020-2021 showing a decline from 759 cases of forced marriage or FGM to 400, there was a sharp increase in general enquiries from 400 in 2020 to 868 in 2021.
These “general enquiries” involve being asked or potentially guiding people to other sources for help or information. The explained change in recorded cases from the FMU is that a change in practice has meant some actions previously treated as cases are now treated as general enquiries.
Also, the effects of the pandemic have also meant travel has been restricted to other countries which has potentially reduced the likelihood of overseas weddings.
When referring to forced marriages GOV.UK defines this as:
“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. Coercion may include emotional pressure, physical force or the threat of it, and financial pressure.”
Of all recorded cases to the FMU 118 (35%) involved victims under the age of 18 and 251 (74%) involved females.
The FMU have expanded its activities in order to deliver trainings to over 1,000 professionals, including police officers, social services, health professionals and local authorities, across the UK in how to help victims of forced marriage. This was more than double the number the previous year.
The FMU has handled cases aimed their support at 32 “focus countries”, not including the UK. These are countries where forced marriages have taken place, are due to take place, or where the spouse is currently residing in.
The countries with the highest cases are Pakistan with 159 cases (47%), Bangladesh with 32 cases (9%) and Somalia with 10 cases (3%). However, 11 cases (3%) did not involve other countries and took place in the UK. For a list of all countries visit this link.
Of all the cases, 72% of the victims were in the UK at the time the case was referred. Although, these statistics only show cases that were recorded.
The graph below shows the number of cases the FMU gave advice or support to every month in the UK.
Figure 1: Number of cases the Forced Marriage Unit gave advice and support to, by month, in 2021
Source: Forced Marriage Unit; Home Office and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
