School holidays 'danger time for forced marriages'

Survivors of forced marriage and honour based violence are speaking about their experiences at an event in Newcastle. Karma Nirvana is to raise awareness of forced marriage in the run up to the school holidays - a time when more young people are taken overseas and forced into marriage.

A forced marriage occurs when one or both people do not consent to the marriage. Emotional, psychological and financial pressure, threats or violence are used by the family or community to force them to go ahead with it. This is expected to become a criminal offence later this year.

Survivors of forced marriage and honour based violence are raising awareness at an event in the run-up to the school holidays.

It is a time when more youngsters are taken abroad and forced into marriage.

Police and support groups will also be at the event at the Discovery Museum in Newcastle today (May 23).

Speakers will include Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird QC, and representatives from both the Forced Marriage Unit.