Since 2012, the FMU has provided support to between approximately 1,200 and approximately 1,400 cases per year. The number of cases in 2018 represents a 47% increase compared with 2017 and is the highest number since these statistics were first in the current format in 2011. This does notnecessarily represent an increase in the prevalence of forced marriage in the UK.

There are other potential reasons for the increase in cases:

• A greater awareness of forced marriage being a crime and the support available, caused by:

– Two court cases which received significant amounts of media attention and resulted in prosecutions

• Wider media attention possibly raising awareness of forced marriage – Launch of the Home Office communication campaign about forced marriage.
  An improved data recording process.

• 574 cases (33%) involved victims below 18 years of age; and a further: 542 cases (31%) involved victims aged 18-25.
• 165 cases (9%) involved victims aged 26-30.
• 146 cases (8%) involved victims aged 31-40.
• 45 cases (3%) involved victims aged 41 and over.

In 17% of cases the age of the victims was unknown.

In 2018, the majority of cases – 1,322 (75%) – involved women, with 297 cases (17%) involving men (gender in the remaining cases was unknown). These proportions are in line with previous years.

Forced marriage is illegal in England and Wales. This includes: taking someone overseas to force them to marry (whether or not the forced marriage takes place) marrying someone who lacks the mental capacity to consent to the marriage (whether they’re pressured to or not)

Forced marriage is not a problem specific to one country or culture. Since 2011, the FMU has handled cases relating to over 110 countries across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and North America.

Natasha Rattu, the director of Karma Nirvana, said that despite the spike in honour crimes, the charity receives 22 per cent fewer calls from the public and officials during December because authorities believe it to be a low-risk period.

“It is strange you do not get the same increase of calls before Christmas as you get before other holidays because we know that pupils go missing around Christmas. We tend to find it is the week before they break up because travel tends to be cheaper”, Rattu said.

“Those absences go unnoticed because it is Christmas – girls at risk are more invisible at that time of year. Everything before and over Christmas grinds down to a halt. There are often fears among victims about escalation over the festive period”, she added.