Forced Marriage - Guide: Identify and Report (Trifold)
Speak to the person in a safe place
Listen carefully, document any concerns and emphasise the person ’ s safety
For a child, you should report. See Reporting Child Abuse
For an adult, ask how you can help them and be respectful about their right to make choices
Ask how to contact them in a secure way (some may not have privacy on their mobile phone/ computers)
Let them know that there are limits to confidentiality
Contact the Call Mira helpline for assistance
HOW TO REPORT
Police (24 hours) 999
Family and Child Protective Service Units (FCPSU):
Central Western, Southern and Islands
2835 2733
Eastern and Wan Chai 2231 5859
Kwun Tong 3586 3741
Wong Tai Sin and Sai Kung 3188 3563
Sham Shui Po 2247 5373
Kowloon City and Yau Tsim Mong
3583 3254
Sha Tin 2158 6680
Tai Po and North 3183 9323
Tuen Mun 2618 5710
Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing 2940 7350
Yuen Long 2445 4224
Assume this is a cultural issue or a family issue and therefore dismiss it
Dismiss the concerns and fears of the person
Speak to or involve family or community members about the person
HELP AVAILABLE/ RESOURCES Guide: How to Identify and Report
For Teachers, Social Workers, Schools, Universities and NGOs Call Mira 9682 3100 (English/ Hindi/ Urdu) Mon to Sat, 10 am - 6 pm
F RCED MARRIAGE? (FM)
FM is against the law in Hong Kong: FM means that one or both people do not consent to the marriage. Full and free consent is required to marry in Hong Kong.
FM is a form of domestic violence: physical, psychological and emotional abuse, and this may start in childhood.
WARNING SIGNS OF FORCED MARRIAGE
WHAT IS MAYBE
In a forced marriage, one or both parties, who may be girls or boys may be subject to physical, emotional or financial pressure to marry. This may be with a relative. It is more common that girls are forced.
FM can lead to threats to other family members, including siblings including physical, emotional or financial threats. For example, the threat of removal from school or Hong Kong.
MARRIAGE VS MARRIAGE
An arranged marriage means the people getting married have the right to refuse or to agree to the marriage. In FM, there is no consent, even if someone agrees due to pressure or threats.
You may notice one or more of these signs:
Physical and emotional signs including anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts. Unexplained bruises. Submissive behaviour
Worse grades / performance / attendance
Change in participation at school e.g. not attending classes / not participating in classes or extracurricular activities
Child or young person may become withdrawn, or depressed, show signs of self-harm or mental health issues
Sudden changes in parental restrictions on independence e.g. no longer able to attend activities or need for male chaperone
Dramatic difference in appearance or dress or hiding modern clothing from parents and family
Change in plans for further education / training
Expressing fears about whether they will return to education or Hong Kong after an upcoming holiday
Plans for extended holiday overseas/ family wedding overseas/ family member illness overseas with an uncertain return date
Their friends believe something is wrong
FORCED MARRIAGE? SHOULD I REPORT
YES for children (age under 18)
FM is child abuse if the person is under 18. Reporting child abuse is expected to be mandatory for certain professions. Even if your profession is not expected to be a mandatory reporter, you should report FM because it is the responsible thing to do.
MAYBE for adults (18+)
If the person is over 18, they are an adult and it is their choice whether or not to report.
There are plenty of resources available, check out Resources in this guide.
THE “ONE CHANCE RULE”
A potential victim of FM may have only one chance to speak to someone who can help them. So, when they do speak with you, listen well.
