Forced marriage research demand

Date published: 29/05/2008

MPS are demanding ministers carry out research into the number of disabled people involved in forced marriages.

More than 30 MPs are calling for action, saying not enough has been done.

The Department of Health’s report Learning Disabilities and Ethnicity found that learning disabilities are up to three times higher in South Asian communities than in other groups of people.

And now MPs fear many people are coerced or tricked into the marriage when really their role will be a carer.

The petition reads: “The Director of UK Visas has stated that of the 250 reluctant sponsors for visas dealt with by the consul in Pakistan in 2007, 86 involved adults with severe disabilities; limited information on forced marriages of people with disabilities may hinder effective responses to this problem.”

The Government should commission research into the prevalence and causes of forced marriages of people with disabilities, the motion demands.