Latest modern slavery fight updates - FreedomUnited.org

The Forgotten Male Victims of Forced Marriage

  • Published on
    May 23, 2018
  • News Source Image
  • Category:
    Child Slavery, Forced Marriage
Hero Banner

Forced marriage is usually talked about in relation to women or child brides being coerced into wedding someone. But did you know that 20% of cases of forced marriage in the UK actually involve male victims?

You can TAKE ACTION on forced marriage right now.

Despite comprising a sizeable share of cases, male victims of forced marriage have few, if any resources. As Maz Idirss, a Lecturer in Law at Manchester Metropolitan University, writes, “they have become the forgotten victims.”

Idirss categorizes forced marriage as a form of honor-based violence, which “occurs when the actions of a victim are perceived by their family to have damaged its reputation.” This can include things like having a relationship outside of marriage or refusing to proceed with a forced marriage.

Speak up against forced child marriage.

In a column for The Conversation, Idriss explains that male victims may feel deeper shame in coming forward:

Responding to and improving service provision for men poses certain challenges. Male victims have been neglected due to a combination of factors, including a lack of awareness. There is also resistance or dismissiveness by some organisations to address the service needs of men.

The social construction that “men cannot be victims”, as well as a framework that views the service needs of women as a higher priority, adds to this complexity.

Barriers for men to report their abuse also exist in the form of concepts of masculinity, honour and shame. All these issues can prevent male victims from coming forward.

It is true that cases of honour-based violence and forced marriage generally relate to violence inflicted by older male relatives. But perpetrators can also be women and wives. Where women are the perpetrators, men often avoid reporting it because of the fear of being ridiculed or shamed.

In 2014, the government criminalized forced marriage, but this is particularly complicated for victims of forced marriage since it is usually their own family members who are the perpetrators. Though some may be willing to see their family members jailed, other victims may not be willing to go that far to escape a forced marriage.

Step up for victims of forced marriage now.

On top of this, Idriss writes that police are not well-trained to spot and understand cases of forced marriage, especially when men were the victims.

In tandem with Idriss’ research, Manchester Metropolitan University will be hosting an “Honour-Based Violence (HBV) National Roadshow 2018” to discuss how to improve support for victims, both women and men.

Join our call to end forced child marriage today.

Subscribe

Freedom United is interested in hearing from our community and welcomes relevant, informed comments, advice, and insights that advance the conversation around our campaigns and advocacy. We value inclusivity and respect within our community. To be approved, your comments should be civil.

stop icon A few things we do not tolerate: comments that promote discrimination, prejudice, racism, or xenophobia, as well as personal attacks or profanity. We screen submissions in order to create a space where the entire Freedom United community feels safe to express and exchange thoughtful opinions.

Notify of
guest
6 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Merrlyn
Merrlyn
6 years ago

That victims can be of any gender is really hard for many of us to assimilate into our consciousness. Hopefully those men will rebel against forced marriage. Better to be uncomfortable for a short period of time, than to be miserable for a Lifetime, yes?

Edward K
Edward K
5 years ago

There is one country in the EU where the statistics for forced marriages among men are horrifying. Officially about 45 % of all marriages are forced marriages for men becouse of pregnancy ( sex before marriage) NON official statistics say 60-65%.and everyone is wondering why the divorce rates are getting sky-high, and have actually reached 50 % in large cities. The country we’re talking about is ofcourse the fanatically religious Poland. I was one of those men. Forced to marry after random sex!

Paul Bunting BSc MSc
Paul Bunting BSc MSc
6 years ago

I don’t think anybody should be forced into a marriage, it stinks of abuse. I knew a Pakistani gay man but his mother told him don’t worry we shall find you a nice girl. Is that right? Marriage should be between willing partners who are best friends (source Women’s Hour on BBC Radio 4) because it is more likely to last. Now divorce almost equals marriage because folk marry the person they fall in love with and then find they are no good at living together. 12-year engagements are necessary.

Jahanzeb
5 years ago

Definitely, It is a non forgivable crime. I do understand how forced marrige on Male reacts.

Doc
Doc
9 months ago

People usually focused on women I just noticed that

This week

Meatpacking plants are repeat offenders of child exploitation

A shocking investigation by the Department of Labor (DOL) has uncovered persistent child labor violations at Seaboard Triumph Foods’ pork processing plant in Sioux City, Iowa. Over four years, children as young as 13 were illegally employed to sanitize hazardous equipment using corrosive chemicals, violating federal laws designed to protect minors from dangerous work. The revelations of widespread child labor exploitation in industries like

| Tuesday December 3, 2024

Read more