Dealing with cases of Forced Marriage - Guidelines for Police

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR ALL CASES

Information about a forced marriage may be received from the victim or from a friend or relative, or from another agency or NGO. Forced marriage may also become apparent through careful questioning in the course of investigating other incidents/crimes such as domestic abuse, assault, abduction or missing persons. If the victim is present the following “First Steps” should be taken.

Cases of forced marriage can involve complex and sensitive issues that should receive the attention of a specialist officer or one who is trained/selected to deal with such matters. Only if there would be unreasonable delay before a suitable officer can attend should other personnel, in accordance with Force procedures, take the “Additional Steps” set out in this document.

FIRST STEPS:

• Recognise and respect the victim’s wishes.
  
  
• See the individual immediately in a secure and private place.
  
  
• See the individual on their own - even if they attend with others.
  
  
• Contact, as soon as possible, a specialist officer or one who is trained/selected to deal with such such matters, in accordance with Force procedures.
  
  
• If under 16 years of age refer to local Child Protection Guidelines.
  
  
• Reassure the victim of police confidentiality.
  
  
• Establish a way of contacting them discreetly in the future.
  
  
• Obtain full details to create a report to pass on to the specialist officer or one who is trained/selected to deal with such matters.

Do Not:

• Send the individual away in the belief that it is not a police matter.
  
  
• Approach the family unless the individual expressly asks you to do so.
  
  
• Approach community leaders unless requested to do so by the individual.
  
  
• Share information with anyone without the express consent of the individual.
  
  
• Breach confidentiality.
  
  
• Attempt to be a mediator.

ADDITIONAL STEPS:

• Give the individual where possible, the choice of the race and gender of the officer who deals with their case.

• Inform them of their legal rights.

• Give them personal safety advice.

• Obtain all details of the person involved including date, place of birth, National Insurance Number and a copy of their passport.

• Consider the need to restrict access to information about the individual and their case.

• Identify any potential criminal offences and submit a crime report where applicable.

• Secure evidence at all stages as a prosecution may follow.

• Give the individual advice on what service they should expect and from whom.

• Follow Force procedures in relation to Risk Assessment and recording of decisions/actions.

• Maintain a full record of the decisions made and the reason for those decisions.

• Ensure that the individual has the nominated officer’s contact details.

Try To:

• Refer the individual, with their consent, to appropriate local and national support groups and counselling services
  
  
• Obtain a recent photograph or consider, with their consent, taking a photograph
  
  
• Note any distinguishing features i.e. birthmarks

 

Experience shows that there are four types of situation that a nominated officer dealing with cases of forced marriage is likely to encounter. The situations and the appropriate police responses are set out in the following four Sections.

Section A: An individual who fears they may be forced to marry in the UK or overseas

Section B: A report by a third party of an individual having been taken abroad for the purpose of a forced marriage

Section C: An individual who has already been forced to marry

Section D: A spouse who has come to the UK from overseas