Recommendations for Practitioners

Throughout their engagement with victims or potential victims of forced marriage, FGM and honour- based crimes, professionals should bear in mind the “one chance” rule: they might have only one opportunity to speak to a victim or potential victim and thus to save their life. This is particularly important as many victims might be in a situation of isolation and control where it is difficult for them to seek and find help externally, as explained earlier. If the victim does not receive the appropriate information and support that one chance might be wasted (United Kingdom, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office [UK, FCDO], 2023; Scotland, National Health Service [Scotland, NHS], 2009; Forced Marriage Initiative, 2021). For this reason, it is important that professionals are aware of how to engage with victims of HPs, with regards to their support needs and take into account the recommendations presented below ((Welsh Government, 2019; Scotland, NHS, 2009; Forced Marriage Initiative, 2021; England and Wales, College of Policing, 2021).

Key recommendations for professionals’ engagement with victims include: provide safe and confidential environments; ensure no family or community member is present; assess risks to victims’ safety; ensure victim- and culturally-sensitive approaches; ensure victims receive appropriate support through individual needs assessments and referrals when appropriate.

Providing safe environments has been identified as a key priority when engaging with victims or potential victims of HPs (End FGM European Network [End FGM EU], 2021). Safe spaces will support the creation of a relationship of trust with professionals in order to help victims come forward, and create an empowering environment for providing support and interviews in a private and secure space. This is particularly important due to the fear and barriers victims might have in seeking help, due to fear of retaliation from the family or community for instance, as explained above. Professionals should ensure the victims are alone, and that no family or community member is present. If it is a minor, the presence of an appropriate adult rather than family members should be considered. If needed, a professional interpreter can be hired: relatives or community members must not be the interpreter. Also consider that if the victim or potential victim is a child, they may not perceive the procedure as abusive, since the person who carries out/authorises the practice is also, symbolically and affectively, the one who protects and cares for them; and be sensitive to the intimate nature of the crime.

Provision of tailored and accessible information is key to help victims understanding their situation, understanding their rights, available support services, but also possible risks and solutions that can be implemented (End FGM EU, 2021). Information should include legal information about their rights, the justice systems, any legal support available to victims. All communications of information to victims should follow a respectful and victim-sensitive approach, e.g. being non-judgemental and making no assumptions, giving victims time and space to talk and ask questions, and using simple and accessible language.

Determining the support a victim might need should be based on the implementation of an individual needs assessment (henceforth INA). The INA is a “strategic process to establish the nature and extent of a victim’s needs” (Meindre-Chautrand et al., 2019). Victim support professionals should in particular try to collect information on needs that are linked to the type of crime and on individual circumstances. On that basis, tailored support can be provided and, where needed, a referral can be operated to relevant services.

Professionals should also identify and evaluate risk factors and situations of high risks for victims. This includes high risks to the victims’ safety, where the victim can be at risk of: being submitted to the harmful practice (if the contact happens before); repeated victimisation; intimidation or retaliation; any other immediate risk putting the victims’ safety or life in danger. This can include (Pasteel, 2015):

• Death of one parent that leads the other parent to take urgent measures to ensure the children are married;
• Sexual orientation of the child/person can lead parents to forced marriage as to maintain appearances;
• Existing conflicts and violence within the family;

Professionals should also keep in mind that disclosing the crime(s) that took place can place victims in a situation of danger and at risk of retaliation or repeat victimisation from the offender(s). For example, disclosing a situation of FGM or trying to escape a situation of forced marriage, might lead the victim to be subjected to honour-based violence and crimes, if their family/community might learn about it. Appropriate measures should be put in place during the engagement, including the development of a safety plan with victims (Réseau Mariage et Migration, 2018). Whenever possible, it is suggested to not send a victim away or return them to their family against their wishes (Forced Marriage Initiative, 2021). In general, professionals should listen to the victim and respect their wishes whenever possible. In some cases, victims may want to take a course of action that can endanger their safety, therefore professionals should explain to them the risks and, if applicable, adopt the necessary child or adult protection precautions (UK, FCDO, 2023).