Reports of forced marriages involving male victims rise 65%

Reports of men becoming victims of forced marriages rose 65% in 2009, according to the government's Forced Marriage Unit.

The FMU, which is run jointly by the Home Office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, said it had received more than 220 emails and calls to its helpline about forced marriages involving male victims. This compared to 134 in 2008.

The majority of victims of forced marriage are women. Some 86% of the 1,682 cases that the FMU – which was set up in 2005 to provide support for victims and expert training and guidance for professionals – gave advice on involved females.

However, the Home Office said that men could be forced into marriage for a range of reasons, including family commitments and expectations, the need to secure a visa, or the desire to control behaviour and protect a family’s reputation.

Male victims are often forced into marriage because their families know or suspect they are gay or bisexual.

James Brokenshire, minister for crime prevention, said: “Forced marriage is a form of domestic abuse and will not be tolerated. These figures are proof that both men and women are victims of forced marriage, so it’s vitally important that we encourage those who work with young people to contact the forced marriage unit if they have any concerns, and that victims who have been affected come forward and get the help they need.”

Male and female victims of forced marriage  – or others acting on their behalf – can apply for a forced marriage protection order. This can prevent someone being forced into marriage or protect a person where a marriage has already taken place.

Some 150 orders have been taken out since the Forced Marriages Act came into force in November 2008.

Foreign Office minister Jeremy Browne said: “Boys and men who are forced into marriage find it harder to ask for  help than women, but we are urging males affected by forced marriage to speak out and seek the help that is available to them.”

Research last year suggested that local authorities were reluctant to use the powers given to them by the Forced Marriages Act.