Charities which support women in forced marriages

[LadyHarrietdeSpook]

HOpe no one minds me posting here but wanted traffic.

Can anyone direct me to charities which support women fleeing etc forced marriages?

I really want to volunteer at one.

I have found women's aid (but can't see where to volunteer) and
Iranian and Kurdish Women?s Rights Organisation (IKWRO) but you need to speak one of the local languages in order to volunteer.

I am amazed there don't seem to be more obvious ones via Google BUT I am also thinking that maybe there's a reason they don't advertise themselves...

Any suggestions for London based organisations which may be looking for help?!

Not sure where they are based but try plan uk and karma nirvana websites.

As well, could you contact Shelter, the local council, the CAB and social services? Four places that are bound to have lots of information on it.

My daughter is 19. I believe she has been groomed on the internet and has now married a bengali man without our knowledge and he is now applying for a visa to settle in this country. My daughter is very vulnerable. I have reported this among other details of the case to the authorities but I willl not know if they are taking any action. I desparately need to talk to someone but it seems all the support groups are for aisian women who have been forced to marry. my daughther has been coerced or forced into marriage but from a grooming persepctive. does anyone know of a support group I could contact for advice?

That sounds bad, julizh. Maybe start your own thread in legal or teenagers to ask for more help?

thanks - i will try

A lot of specialist services do not openly advertise their contact details because doing so may place workers and clients at risk. There are many specialist organisations in the london area, many of whom have their contact details (po box addresses and contact no's) on the National Women's Aid website. A few off the top of my head are Ashiana project, Enfield Muslim Women's Aid, Nia project, Shanti project. Most of them incorporate support for women fleeing forced marriage alongside mainstream DV support and accomodation.

An ability to speak a community language can prove v useful, most of these services are facing cuts left right and centre so good volunteers are always appreciated.

thanks - I have had a look at these but they seem to be for aisian women and not for white girls - it seems to be different. I will have another look.

Julizh have you tried calling some of them and seeing if they can suggest other organisations to contact that would apply to your daughter?

no I have not done that yet but will do so. thanks

Forced marriage, is it yet a criminal offence in the UK?

In reply to my own question, no it isn't according to Google. I Googled My White Daughter has been forced to marry in Google but nothing helpful came up. I'll have another try.

The joint Foreign Office/Home Office forced marriage unit here offers advice to worried friends and relatives. If there's any hint of a man trying to force his way into a visa, they should be able to help, too.

Chilling videos :(

Karma Nirvana and the forced marriage unit.

julizh

In the short term write to the home office and get his visa blocked. I think you need to be 21 to bring a spouse into the country, and have a certain amount of money.