Annex A
FORCED MARRIAGE
CASE STUDIES
Derby Case Study
During the academic year 2006-07 the
schools child protection co-ordinator reported a child to the
LA Child Protection Officer and duty social care teams of her
concerns that a child may be a potential victim of forced marriage.
The child was in year 11 and the school
and the EWO were becoming concerned about her falling attendance.
The Child Protection co-ordinator spoke to the child and her friends
about her fears. Although the child did not state that she feared
that she was going to be forced into marriage there were clear
concerns about her well-being and safety as her older sister was
being housed in a refuge by Karma Nirvana. Advice and guidance
about forced marriage were given to pupil and also the school
contacted Karma Nirvana to alert them to what potentially may
happen. The school and EWO closely monitored the child's attendance,
when she failed to turn up for an exam, the schools CP co-ordinator
went to visit the family home and managed to persuade the parents
to allow their daughter to attend school to complete her exams.
The pupil returned to school. Karma Nirvana were able to work
with her to ensure her safety, the child's older sister was known
to Karma Nirvana and was in a refuge run by KN as she was also
liable to become a victim of forced marriage. The pupil finished
her exams, is still living in Derby and maintains contact with
her older sister.
The schools Child Protection Officer
has attended termly Child protection Network meetings run by the
LA Child Protection Officer. At one of these meetings Jas Sanghera
from Karma Nirvana attended and gave a presentation on the issue
of Forced Marriage. The CP co-ordinator was able to brief all
school staff about what to look for and how to report concerns
to the schools CP co-ordinator. The school have information leaflets
and guidance information readily available for any child attending
the school. At the start of every academic year the school arrange
whole school training on child protection delivered by the LA
Child Protection Officer and issues regarding Forced Marriage
and Honour Based Violence are comprehensively covered.
Newham Case Study
SJ is a 15 year old Muslim female whose
parents originate from Afghanistan. SJ and her three siblings
were born in Pakistan. Her father initially came to the UK in
2001 and claimed asylum. When this was granted the rest of the
family joined him in 2002. SJ and her siblings attend Newham Schools.
SJ has stated her father told her to
lie about her age and she believes that she is a year older than
her purported age.
SJ states that 23 November 2007 was a
"normal day" but when she got home, she overheard her
father say "everything's ready". According to SJ, for
the last year her father had discussed sending her to Pakistan
to marry her maternal step cousin. SJ had been truanting from
school and believes that this, coupled with the fact that she
is getting older was why her father and uncles wanted her to be
married. SJ's uncles informed her that she should not be going
to school because back home (Pakistan) girls of her age would
not go to school. SJ stated that she did not disclose her concerns
to anyone at her school because she "did not feel able to
tell a teacher".
SJ ran away and was missing until January
2008, when she came to the attention of Children's Services in
Newport, Wales. It appears that SJ was staying with relatives
of an ex-boyfriend. The circumstances of the period in which she
was missing and the nature of the assistance provided by various
males and females are being investigated by the Police. SJ was
moved to a foster placement commissioned by Newham. She has been
moved once again for reasons of safety.
At this point, SJ has threatened to run
away again, self-harm or commit suicide if she is returned home.
She is afraid to have any form of contact with her parents or
siblings.
Initially, SJ was placed in foster care
with the agreement of her parents. There was no reason why this
could not continue but on 6 March 2008 SJ was made a ward of court
following an application made by her solicitors, who felt unable
to wait for the LA to complete their investigation as to whether
there is a need to make an application for an Interim Care Order
or wardship. SJ is currently a ward of court.
Newham has put the following safety precautions
in place:
— SJ is placed out
of London.
— There is a warning
on the case management system that if anyone calls requesting
her placement address they are to be referred immediately to her
social worker. The address will not be disclosed.
— Change of colour
and style of hair to disguise her in case any relatives or friends
should come across her.
SJ will remain where she is for the time
being. Within the current wardship proceedings, a section 37 report
has been requested. At this point, it is not clear whether Newham
will make an application for a Care Order and the matter is the
subject of a child protection investigation.
| 
