Detective Sargeant Singh exposes “apathy” regarding British “forced Marriages”

Fear of causing unrest in Asian communities in the UK has led the Crown Prosecution Service to fail to prosecute “honour crimes” according to today’s Telegraph.  Detective  Sargeant Pal Singh observed that a first conviction for forced marriage in the UK  collapsed through possible apathy.

The police would have been pleased if the case went ahead as it would have “sent a message to the community”.

Despite the number of forced marriages reports have increased, and doubled in the last five years Det Singh who has been praised, is frustrated by the conduct of the CPS who have also been under heavy attack for sex abuse cases, rape inquiries and other prosecutions including journalists.

If there is a failure to follow through and arrest offenders no message will be sent.  Vulnerable Asian lady victims are also afraid of the aftermath of filing reports.  There is a law made in 2014 making forced marriage an offence.  Det Singh raised issues over a young woman whose brother and parents were charged with assault, false imprisonment and using violence to coerce a forced marriage. The woman in question already had a partner and had to flee the family with him for fear they would also assault him. Though her account was corroborated the case was ultimately partially dropped.

Other bodies set up to prevent this type of family including one in Cardiff were appalled that ultimately the enquiry had not been followed through.  Victims are often reluctant to criminalise their families even if the alternative is abuse, false imprisonment, injury and death.

New plans to change issues and introduce an action plan against offenders who cause this misery are being assembled.