The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) undertook an inquiry into the adverse impact of forced marriage on the full and effective enjoyment of all human rights by all women and girls.
The OHCHR asked for contributors to outline the measures taken to address the root causes of forced marriage. Anti-Slavery Australia highlighted its national forced marriage service, My Blue Sky, which offers free and confidential support for those at risk or already in forced marriages. We are also engaged in the ‘Speak Now’ project, aimed at raising awareness and conducting research on forced marriage in Australia, with a focus on frontline communities.
The submission outlined the challenges relating to accessing justice for victims of forced marriage, including the limited awareness among frontline service providers and confusion between arranged and forced marriages. We also noted the marginalised status of affected communities and the factors that affect the susceptibility of a person to forced marriage.
Anti-Slavery Australia highlighted the challenges in identifying forced marriage cases, mainly due to a lack of knowledge within key support sectors and the unawareness of rights among at-risk communities. We also emphasise the scarcity of coordination networks and peer support, along with the potential fear among temporary visa holders to seek assistance.