Support for victims of forced marriage and hate crime Hate Crime The term 'hate crime' can be used to describe a range of criminal behaviour where the perpetrator is motivated by hostility or demonstrates hostility towards the victim's disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identity. These aspects of a person's identity are known as 'protected characteristics'. A hate crime can include verbal abuse, intimidation, threats, harassment, assault and bullying, as well as damage to property. The perpetrator can also be a friend, carer or acquaintance who exploits their relationship with the victim for financial gain or some other criminal purpose. How to report hate crime If you are in immediate danger, call 999 Call 101 for non-emergency enquiries Use the smartphone reporting app. Details are here. In addition, you can report hate crime to some of the organisations who support affected communities, including: Stop Hate UK (all hate crime) Tell Mama (anti-Muslim hate crime) Community Security Trust (anti-Semitic hate crime) GALOP (anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime) True Vision (all hate crime) Forced marriage A forced marriage is where one or both people do not (or in cases of people with learning disabilities, cannot) consent to the marriage and pressure or abuse is used. It is an appalling and indefensible practice and is illegal in Great Britain. Source: https://www.southampton.gov.uk/health-social-care/domestic-abuse/what-is-domestic-abuse/forced-marriage.aspx Forced Marriage Unit The Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) is a joint Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Home Office unit which leads on the government’s forced marriage policy, outreach and casework. It operates both inside the UK (where support is provided to any individual) and overseas (where consular assistance is provided to British nationals, including dual nationals). The FMU operates a public helpline to provide advice and support to victims of forced marriage as well as to professionals dealing with cases. The assistance provided ranges from safety advice, through to helping a forced marriage victim prevent their unwanted spouse moving to the UK (‘reluctant sponsor’ cases). In extreme circumstances the FMU will assist with rescues of victims held against their will overseas. You can call: (+44) (0) 207 008 0151 - Monday – Friday 9-5pm(+44) (0) 207 008 1500 - Out of hours Email: [email protected]Website: www.gov.uk/stop-forced-marriage As well as the Forced Marriage Unit, there are a number of organisations that can give you confidential advice and information. Karma Nirvana Helpline supporting victims of honour-based abuse & forced marriage Telephone: 0800 5999 247Website: karmanirvana.org.ukEmail: [email protected] Halo Project The Halo Project Charity is a national charity that aims to respond to cases of Forced Marriage across the UK. Halo provides specialist support to victims of forced marriages and those suffering domestic abuse in the name of honour. Telephone: 01642 683 045Website: www.haloproject.org.uk Emotional support for those at risk SupportLine provides a confidential telephone helpline offering emotional support to any individual on any issue. The Helpline is primarily a preventative service and aims to support people before they reach the point of crisis. It is particularly aimed at those who are socially isolated, vulnerable, at risk groups and victims of any form of abuse. SupportLine is a member of the Helplines Association. SupportLine also provides support by email and post. Helpline: 01708 765200Email: [email protected]Website: https://www.supportline.org.uk/problems/forced-marriages/