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Article: 'I don't': escaping forced marriage: for a woman forced into marriage, an appointment with a midwife may provide a unique opportunity for her to get help. Danny Ratnaike summarises new guidance for healthcare professionals on identifying and responding to this issue.(News)
- Article from:
- Royal College of Midwives Journal
- Article date:
- July 1, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 Ten Alps Publishing. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Each year, around 300 cases of forced marriage are reported to the government's Forced Marriage Unit (FMU), but the actual figure may be higher than 1000 (Phillips and Dustin, 2004).
The FMU has published new guidance for healthcare professionals on dealing with this issue (Forced Marriage Unit, 2007), giving practical advice on how to recognise warning signs and what to do to assist and support women who may be affected.
Public health minister Caroline Flint stated: 'Forced marriage affects children and adults as well as men and women from a wide range of communities. An interview with a healthcare professional may be the first and only opportunity ...