 | Victim of force marriage - a desperate situation |
Forced marriageMany faiths support arranged marriage, but none allow force to be used. Yet increasing numbers of young Asians are coming forward and asking for help - and many of them are men. Inside Out hears from these often hidden victims of forced marriage and honour based crimes. We discover how Derby based charity Karma Nirvana plans to set up a new service for men offering support and refuge. And we discuss the pros and cons of a new bill which promises to protect young people from this abuse. A shock engagementKhalid (not his real name) was just eight when he was engaged to his uncle's daughter in Pakistan.  | | Reconstruction of shackling in Pakistan |
When he was 17, his family took him on what he thought was a holiday to Lahore. In fact, he was there to marry his cousin. When he refused, he was drugged, then put in shackles and imprisoned in the local mosque "to learn respect for Islamic tradition". "I was terrified," he said, "I thought I'd never get back to the UK again." After 13 days he managed to escape and ran four hours in bare feet to get help from a friend. He still bears the scars. "I love my family, "he told us. "They were doing what they thought was right for me, but it was wrong. I'd encourage anyone in the same position to get help."
Support availableFrom March 2007 help will be far more readily available.  | | Support at hand - Jasvinder Sanghera from Karma Nirvana |
Charity Karma Nirvana in Derby has offered support and refuge to Asian women for 13 years. Now they're expanding to offer the same service and a helpline to men. Founder Jasvinder Sanghera told us: "We're seeing an increasing number of men coming forward and asking for help. "Some are already married and desperately unhappy. "Some are being threatened with physical violence or huge psychological pressure. "Some are gay and the family are forcing them to marry for fear of them bringing dishonour to the family."
Desperate situationJasvinder from Derby knows just how desperate things can get for victims. She fled a forced Sikh marriage when she was 15 and has written a book about her experiences.  | | Jasvinder Sanghera fled a forced marriage |
Now she's campaigning for a new law to protect victims. The Forced Marriage Civil Protection Bill has been introduced into the Lords by Lord Lester. Read Jasvinder's story If it becomes law, it will offer victims or a third party the possibility of seeking an injunction to prevent a forced marriage.
And those who've already gone through such a marriage could sue for damages. Full debateSheikh Ibrahim Mogra, an imam from Leicester, says he would support such a law provided it was fully debated and made the proper distinction between forced and arranged marriages. "No faith would support a forced marriage," he says.  | | Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra would support a law if debated |
"It just doesn't make senseĀ
You've done everything for your children, you've loved them, educated them, protected them. "And then when it matters most you take a decision which causes such misery. "What I advise young people is to listen to their parents, and if they have a suggestion then to meet the person and see what you think. "But no-one can force you to do anything."
Who to turn to - contacts Community Liaison Unit, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
0207 008 0230
(24 hours: 0207 270 1500)
Karma Nirvana Refuge in Derby
01332 604098
Emergency number - 0777 2744320
24 hour National Domestic Violence Freephone Helpline
0808 200 0247 Links relating to this story:The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites | 
Inside Out - East Midlands: Friday February 23, 2007