Social workers failing women facing forced marriage, says report
source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jan/08/social-workers-failing-women-forced-marriage
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Vulnerable women and girls at risk of being forced into marriage are being failed by social services who are not using powers to protect them, according to a government review seen by the Guardian.
Social services have been singled out for criticism in a government review for failing to use powers introduced to protect vulnerable young women from forced marriage. The forced marriage protection orders have been used across the country, primarily for girls and young women, whose relatives have threatened to take them abroad to be married against their will or force them to marry in the UK.
A review by the Ministry of Justice found that some victims were as young as nine, others 35 and above. The problem is thought to be under-reported and the review expresses the need to reach into closed communities to get the message to women and girls that they are protected.
It singles out the social services for not fully making use of the orders, which have been welcomed by charities working with victims of "honour" crime and forced marriage. The Ministry of Justice spoke to police officers, charities, judges and social work departments in a detailed review of how the orders are working.
The review said: "In the view of the police, social services were not quick to act as they tend to 'lack understanding of the seriousness of the situation'." There were references to calls not always being returned, or cases being regarded as involving 'naughty children'."
In England and Wales 86 forced marriage protection orders were issued in their first year. The civil orders are designed to protect women and girls, and in some cases young men, from being pushed into marriage against their will. The severity of the orders depends on each case, with some children being moved from their homes in order to protect them. Thirty-nine of those who applied for the protection provided by the orders were under 18.
One of the conclusions of the review said: "Some local authorities have been slow to get involved … the act does not sit well with social services working methods."
Social services have been singled out for criticism in a government review for failing to use powers introduced to protect vulnerable young women from forced marriage. The forced marriage protection orders have been used across the country, primarily for girls and young women, whose relatives have threatened to take them abroad to be married against their will or force them to marry in the UK.
A review by the Ministry of Justice found that some victims were as young as nine, others 35 and above. The problem is thought to be under-reported and the review expresses the need to reach into closed communities to get the message to women and girls that they are protected.
It singles out the social services for not fully making use of the orders, which have been welcomed by charities working with victims of "honour" crime and forced marriage. The Ministry of Justice spoke to police officers, charities, judges and social work departments in a detailed review of how the orders are working.
The review said: "In the view of the police, social services were not quick to act as they tend to 'lack understanding of the seriousness of the situation'." There were references to calls not always being returned, or cases being regarded as involving 'naughty children'."
In England and Wales 86 forced marriage protection orders were issued in their first year. The civil orders are designed to protect women and girls, and in some cases young men, from being pushed into marriage against their will. The severity of the orders depends on each case, with some children being moved from their homes in order to protect them. Thirty-nine of those who applied for the protection provided by the orders were under 18.
One of the conclusions of the review said: "Some local authorities have been slow to get involved … the act does not sit well with social services working methods."
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