Forced marriage is a shocking practice – and sadly, it still happens here in modern day Britain. Young women, no more than girls, are forced against their will to marry men they have probably never met – they are threatened, coerced, and their lives are all too often destroyed. This is not arranged marriage, where families find suitable matches for children who want to make a commitment. This is a terrible, hidden crime, involving emotional abuse, physical violence and rape.
Earlier this month, a 34-year-old Cardiff man became the first person in the UK to be prosecuted under forced marriage laws brought in by the government a year ago. The legislation thrust the issue into the media spotlight, but we must ensure our drive to eradicate forced marriage does not waiver.
In my role as Minister for Preventing Abuse and Exploitation I have heard first-hand the shocking stories of many British women who have been subjected to forced marriages. One case that stands out is that of Rashid, who had just turned 18 when she suffered horrific violence at the hands of her father during a family 'holiday' in Pakistan. Why? Because she 'shamed' her family by refusing to marry her own cousin – a man she'd never met or spoken to before.
Growing up in the UK in the 1970s, Rashid was not allowed to have toys, or play with friends and instead was forced to cook, clean and wash clothes. By the age of just 13, Rashid's parents promised relatives that they would marry her to a cousin living in their home country.
Rashid loved school and it was her only escape – she had aspirations of a college education, a career and a respectful relationship – but as she grew older, she learned more about the marriage that was planned for her. In a desperate cry for help Rashid attempted to explain the situation to her teachers and her family GP; all the warning signs were there but no one could or would help.
After being taken to Pakistan for the marriage a week before her 18th birthday, and then being beaten when she refused to go through with the ceremony, Rashid miraculously managed to escape and was smuggled back to the UK wearing a burkha.
With nowhere else to go, she returned to her parents' home despite her harrowing ordeal, but it wasn't long before she faced more violence.
The mental and emotional impact of the constant threat of abuse and the devastation of not feeling safe at home meant that Rashid had to get away before she was killed or kidnapped and taken back to Pakistan. One day she went to work and decided she wouldn't return, instead staying with a friend out of town.
When her father realised she hadn't come back, the family searched everywhere for her and she was reported missing to the police. But despite the continued harassment and the fear that came with it, Rashid stuck to her guns and never returned.
Against all the odds, Rashid managed to turn her life around. She is now a successful lawyer and helps victims of forced marriage, raises awareness and was one of a number of people who campaigned for the change in the law. She is currently an advisor on an independent inquiry into how police forces deal with honour-based violence.
However, not every woman manages to escape the devastation of forced marriage. We must continue to crack down on the perpetrators of this shocking crime and protect the victims and vulnerable.
Last year we made forced marriage illegal, with those convicted of the offence facing up to seven years in prison. We have also introduced Forced Marriage Protection Orders (FMPOs), which can be used to prevent a person from being forced into marriage and also protect a person already in a forced marriage from being threatened, harassed or harmed.
We know that criminalisation alone is not enough and we remain focused on prevention, support, and protection for victims and those at risk of becoming victims.
Our Forced Marriage Unit is leading efforts to combat forced marriage both at home and abroad. The unit runs a public helpline, providing direct assistance to victims and professionals responsible for safeguarding those at risk. It also conducts nation-wide outreach programmes and provides consular assistance overseas to victims to secure their return to the UK.
To those people who say that the law is putting victims off speaking to the police, Rashid's story should make you think again. To those who say that the offence is forcing the practice underground, I say to you that it already is.
While the new law will not put an end to every forced marriage, it sends a clear message that the UK will not tolerate forced marriage; that it is abuse and that it is illegal.