'Missing children' warning as 'disturbing' forced marriage data sparks alarm
Dame Jasvinder Sanghera branded latest figures 'deeply disturbing'(Image: Murray Sanders/ANL/REX/Shutterstock)
TL;DR
- Over 100 forced marriage cases involving children aged 12 or under were reported to the Home Office between 2021 and 2025.
- The figures include 27 cases involving children up to five years old and 62 cases involving children aged 10 or below.
- Campaigner Dame Jasvinder Sanghera described the data as 'deeply disturbing' and warned of children going missing as schools reopen.
- Forcing marriage is a criminal offense in the UK, and the legal age of marriage in England and Wales was raised to 18 in 2023.
- The Home Office clarified that a referral signifies a potential or suspected forced marriage and not every referral results in a forced marriage.
- Dame Jasvinder highlighted that perpetrators may use cultural or religious claims to deflect accusations and that professionals need confidence to report concerns.
- A Department for Education spokesperson stated that strengthened guidance and the new RSHE curriculum aim to help staff identify and respond to abuse, including forced marriage.