Scores of forced marriages are Kent's "secret shame" claims campaigner
Hundreds of victims of forced marriages are suffering in silence in Kent, according to a charity dedicated to exposing the county’s "secret shame".
The Karma Nirvana organisation has reported a 52 per cent increase in calls from Kent in the last year but says there are likely to be many more young people – mainly those from Pakistani Muslim and Indian Sikh families – who are too afraid to come forward.
Co-founder Jasvinder Sanghera, who was disowned by her parents after refusing an arranged marriage 29 years ago, told KoS the problem results in countless suicides and at least 12 "honour killings" nationally every year.
She added: "What we know about forced marriage is that it’s under-reported and a hidden crime. In Kent there will be many hundreds of victims, and they could be anywhere.
"It’s not just areas where there are large Asian populations like Gravesend, where these crimes are likely to be going on. That’s why more work needs to be done to identify victims living in other towns where the population is not so large."
Karma Nirvana’s helpline takes about 5,000 calls a year, with the majority of callers aged 12-21 but the youngest just eight.
In addition to south Asian communities, forced marriage is also a problem – albeit to a lesser extent – among Kurdish, Iranian, Afghan and Somalian families.
In many cases marriages are arranged before a child reaches the age of consent, with some children even promised to other families at birth.
But even when marriages are arranged legally, Ms Sanghera says, participants should be allowed to decline without fear of reprisal.
She said: "The community network among people who practice arranged marriages is often strong, and word quickly gets out if something goes wrong.
"Another problem is that many people are prevented from integrating because British society is regarded as a threat to their culture.
"Multiculturalism is a myth as far as these people are concerned, but sadly some professionals turn a blind eye to what’s going on because they see it as a cultural problem. But it’s not a cultural problem – it’s abuse."
This week Ms Sanghera and other survivors held a discussion at Kent Police headquarters in Maidstone, where they spoke to professionals from the force, domestic violence teams, child protection bodies, health workers, schools, social workers and charities.
Saima (not real name) spoke at the roadshow, revealing how she was tricked into visiting Pakistan on holiday only to be kidnapped and wed to an abusive husband.
She fell pregnant and returned to the UK in secret but lost her baby when she was stabbed by a hitman hired by her family.
Saima said: "I think they thought I had brought shame on them and brought dishonour on the family.
"I remember talking to my mum and telling her everything he had done to me and every way he abused me. I was crying. But she told me: ‘He’s your husband. Even if he kills you we don’t care because you’re no longer our property’."
For more information call the Karma Nirvana Honour Network Helpline on 0800 5 999 247 or visit www.karmanirvana.org.uk.
http://www.yourcanterbury.co.uk/p_1...ages_are_Kents_secret_shame_claims_campaigner
Hundreds of victims of forced marriages are suffering in silence in Kent, according to a charity dedicated to exposing the county’s "secret shame".
The Karma Nirvana organisation has reported a 52 per cent increase in calls from Kent in the last year but says there are likely to be many more young people – mainly those from Pakistani Muslim and Indian Sikh families – who are too afraid to come forward.
Co-founder Jasvinder Sanghera, who was disowned by her parents after refusing an arranged marriage 29 years ago, told KoS the problem results in countless suicides and at least 12 "honour killings" nationally every year.
She added: "What we know about forced marriage is that it’s under-reported and a hidden crime. In Kent there will be many hundreds of victims, and they could be anywhere.
"It’s not just areas where there are large Asian populations like Gravesend, where these crimes are likely to be going on. That’s why more work needs to be done to identify victims living in other towns where the population is not so large."
Karma Nirvana’s helpline takes about 5,000 calls a year, with the majority of callers aged 12-21 but the youngest just eight.
In addition to south Asian communities, forced marriage is also a problem – albeit to a lesser extent – among Kurdish, Iranian, Afghan and Somalian families.
In many cases marriages are arranged before a child reaches the age of consent, with some children even promised to other families at birth.
But even when marriages are arranged legally, Ms Sanghera says, participants should be allowed to decline without fear of reprisal.
She said: "The community network among people who practice arranged marriages is often strong, and word quickly gets out if something goes wrong.
"Another problem is that many people are prevented from integrating because British society is regarded as a threat to their culture.
"Multiculturalism is a myth as far as these people are concerned, but sadly some professionals turn a blind eye to what’s going on because they see it as a cultural problem. But it’s not a cultural problem – it’s abuse."
This week Ms Sanghera and other survivors held a discussion at Kent Police headquarters in Maidstone, where they spoke to professionals from the force, domestic violence teams, child protection bodies, health workers, schools, social workers and charities.
Saima (not real name) spoke at the roadshow, revealing how she was tricked into visiting Pakistan on holiday only to be kidnapped and wed to an abusive husband.
She fell pregnant and returned to the UK in secret but lost her baby when she was stabbed by a hitman hired by her family.
Saima said: "I think they thought I had brought shame on them and brought dishonour on the family.
"I remember talking to my mum and telling her everything he had done to me and every way he abused me. I was crying. But she told me: ‘He’s your husband. Even if he kills you we don’t care because you’re no longer our property’."
For more information call the Karma Nirvana Honour Network Helpline on 0800 5 999 247 or visit www.karmanirvana.org.uk.
http://www.yourcanterbury.co.uk/p_1...ages_are_Kents_secret_shame_claims_campaigner
