Children at risk of forced marriage identified in South Yorkshire

South Yorkshire Police said ‘several’ children from Rotherham identified as being at risk of forced marriage have been granted the protection of a Forced Marriage Protection Order by a Sheffield court.

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Police officers in Rotherham’s Protecting Vulnerable People team, supported by Rotherham Council and South Yorkshire Police’s legal services department, made the application after concerns were raised about several children being at risk of forced marriage.

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Forced marriage is a union that is carried out without one or both parties’ consent, conducted against their will. Often, pressure and abuse is used against victims.

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Breaches of a Forced Marriage Protection Order could result in a prison sentence.

Temporary Detective Sergeant Tom Bishop said: “Concerns were raised about the welfare of several children as a result of a referral from one of our partner agencies.

“Police and children’s social care took swift, positive action. All of the children are now effectively safeguarded by the FMPOs that have subsequently been granted by the courts.

“Across South Yorkshire there are a number of people, adults and children alike, who are currently protected by FMPOs and I hope this demonstrates to victims and affected communities that we treat these reports incredibly seriously.

“The court will consider in due course whether further orders are to be made.”

On Monday, October 21, a 42-year-old Rotherham woman was arrested on suspicion of forced marriage offences.

She has been bailed pending further enquiries.