Young people in the UK can rely on the safety and security offered within their home, family and community. They grow up aware that they can trust the people around them, knowing that these same people have nothing but their best interests at heart.
But, there is a growing number of children who live in the UK, yet do not have this basic human right. Freedom Charity is here to help them.
"The long school summer holiday break has long been identified as a time when young people are at most risk of being taken and retained overseas for the purpose of marriage. This initiative from Freedom Charity is an essential tool in the continued campaign to empower young people in self-protection and to raise wider public awareness".
Anne- Marie Hutchinson OBE (Human Rights Lawyer)
Freedom Charity was established to save the lives of vulnerable children and young people who are at risk of, or are subjected to violent crimes, dishonour-based violence and forced marriages throughout the UK.
Freedom celebrates the UK’s cultural diversity and endorses all the traditions that these bring - but it makes a clear distinction between an arranged marriage and a forced marriage.
An arranged marriage is one which has been intermediated by a third party but crucially both individuals have a choice. If at first the match doesn’t succeed, it is up to the arranger to find other potentially suitable matches. In time a match will be found and both individuals and their families can be confident that, by having a free choice, a happy union will unfold.
This stands in sharp contrast to a ‘forced’ marriage where there is no choice whatsoever. The practice of forced marriages and dishonour-based violence is not acceptable and the rights of UK citizens, and especially young people, have the full protection of by the law.
Freedom believes we all should be entitled to choose who we wish to marry. This is a basic human right and in the UK appropriate measures are in place to ensure the safety and protection of its most vulnerable citizens
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An arranged marriage is one which has been intermediated by a third party but crucially both individuals have a choice. If at first the match doesn’t succeed, it is up to the arranger to find other potentially suitable matches. In time a match will be found and both individuals and their families can be confident that, by having a free choice, a happy union will unfold.
This stands in sharp contrast to a ‘forced’ marriage where there is no choice whatsoever. The practice of forced marriages and dishonour-based violence is not acceptable and the rights of UK citizens, and especially young people, have the full protection of by the law.
Signs of Forced marriages
No two cases of Forced Marriage are the same and you will know your friends and classmates better than anyone else.
There are signs that may suggest that your friend is in trouble and threatened with a Forced Marriage.
Key signs to look out for:-
The steps you can take.
If you are worried about a friend who is exhibiting any of the above signs and fear that they may be forced into a marriage, tell your teacher or your school mentor. You can say that you wish to remain anonymous. Tell your teachers that there are specialist police officers who can help. Tell your teachers that there is a Forced Marriage Unit at the Foreign Office. Give your teachers and your school the links and addresses that are in this book.
Many Forced Marriages take place in the school/college holidays. It is often very difficult for a young person to take steps to avoid going on holiday even though they are afraid that something will happen. This may be because they do not feel strong enough to take steps to protect themselves or they do not want to believe their family could do such a thing.
If your friend tells you that they think they may be forced into a marriage when they go abroad on aholiday, make sure they take these steps:-
