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Conference on forced marriage being held in Derby

The first national conference on forced marriages is being held in Derby.

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First forced marriage conference getting underway

The conference is getting underway Credit: ITV News Central

The first national conference on forced marriage is being held in Derby today.

Among those speaking at the event are victims of forced marriage, police and members of the Derby-based charity, Karma Nirvana, which campaigns against forced marriage.

Leaflets are being handed out at the conference Credit: ITV News Central

Next month will see changes in legislation which will make forced marriage a criminal offence.

Read more: Karma Nirvana founder 'delighted' to speak at first conference

It is the first national conference on the subject Credit: ITV News Central

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Derby's Crime Commissioner praises forced marriage conference

Derby's Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Charles has praised a national conference into forced marriage being held in Derby which will discuss how to improve the response provided to victims.

Too many victims suffer in fear and silence and it's our duty to give them the courage they need to come forward and seek help so this abhorrent behaviour is no longer supressed in our communities. Victims are exposed to the same level of fear, turmoil and degradation as victims of domestic abuse and just because the issue is so closely linked to family, cultural or religious customs or traditions it doesn't mean society has to sit by and let it happen.

– Derby Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Charles

Karma Nirvana founder to speak at forced marriage conference

Criminal justice experts are heading to Derby for a national conference into forced marriage.

It's to discuss how they can increase protection for vulnerable women ahead of forced marriages being made a criminal offence next month.

I'm delighted to be co-hosting the first national conference on Forced Marriage, where we will be talking about its forthcoming criminalisation, with Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Charles. The change in the legislation which will make forced marriage a specific offence is the result of a 10 year campaign, which has now delivered necessary and very welcome change.

We are pleased to have brought together so many national leaders with diverse perspectives, experiences and responsibilities. It is so important that statutory organisations such as the police, PCCs and the criminal justice service work in partnership with non-statutory support organisations to provide a sensitive and holistic service to victims.

– Jasvinder Sanghera CBE, survivor of forced marriage and founder of Karma Nirvana

First national forced marriages conference being held in Derby

Karma Nirvana founder Jasvinder Sanghera Credit: ITV News Central

The first national conference on Forced Marriages is being held in Derby today.

Jasvinder Sanghera, the founder of the Forced Marriage support charity, Karma Nirvana, will be among those speaking at the event at Derby's Council House.

Forced Marriages are due to be made a criminal offence next month.

Read more: 700 calls made to forced marriage charity in the Midlands

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