Provide support to individuals forced into marriage
Overview
This standard is about your ability to identify individuals who are forced into marriage and provide them with support. Such support can include referral to an appropriate supporting agency.
Further standards address undertaking full risk assessments and interventions designed to protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of such individuals.
It is recognised that victims of forced marriages can be young people under the age of 18 or individuals at risk over the age of 18.
This standard is for practitioners who support those forced into marriage and experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
1. observe individuals to identify signs which can indicate a potential victim of forced marriage
2. discuss with individuals their situation and needs in an appropriate and safe environment
3. communicate with individuals in ways which meet their needs and abilities in line with organisational policies and procedures
4. assess available information to identify individuals forced into marriage including:
• indications of individuals affected by forced marriage
• identify where evidence is sufficient to warrant further exploration
5. assess risks to individuals which affect their safety, health and wellbeing in line with organisational policies and procedures
6. explain the support options available in line with organisational policies and procedures
7. record any injuries and arrange medical examinations where appropriate
8. explain requirements regarding confidentiality to individuals including:
• which parties may require particular information
• circumstances where information may have to be divulged.
9. explore options regarding ways forward including any aspects of risk, health and wellbeing, safety and protection with individuals
10. explain the reasons for progressing options which may be contrary to the wishes of the individual
11. access relevant local child protection procedures when there are risks to the safety, health and wellbeing of:
• individuals under eighteen years of age
• any children and dependents involved
12. refer individuals who are at risk to appropriate agencies in line with organisational policies and procedures
13. work with other organisations in line with appropriate procedures and partnership agreements
14. involve individuals in discussions regarding actions towards their protection
15. refer any suspicions regarding potential crime having been committed to the necessary authority in line with organisational policies and procedures
16. inform individuals of their rights in line with legislation and guidance including:
• their right to seek legal advice and representation
• that it is not always necessary to have legal representation
17. provide individuals with personal safety advice relevant to their needs
18. confirm individuals understand the way forward including:
• the services and support they can expect
• who will provide services and support
19. maintain up to date records in line with organisation policies and procedures
20. maintain confidentiality in line with legislative, organisational and regulatory requirements
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
1. legal, organisational and policy requirements relevant to your role, the role of others in your organisation and the activities being carried out
2. the relevant national and local guidelines, policies and procedures available and how and when they should be accessed
3. range of agencies and services you may work with
4. your organisation’s role, remit, objectives and services for supporting individuals who are part of forced marriages
5. the limits of your authority, responsibility, and professional competence
6. circumstances where it is necessary to go against individuals expressed wishes
7. the importance of ensuring that individuals know what constitutes a forced marriage and an arranged marriage and the differences between them
8. the role which `honour' has within forced and arranged marriage
9. the methods used by abusers to gain power and control of those forced into marriage
10. the impact upon all those affected by forced marriage, including individuals and dependents.
11. what is meant by safeguarding
12. the different ways in which children, young people and dependents might be harmed
13. when and how to discuss concerns regarding abuse with parents, carers and family members
14. the importance of recognising that parents, carers and family members may be complicit in forced marriages
15. warning signs and indications of potential or actual forced marriage
16. how to assess signs and indicators of forced marriage, including:
17. different forms of domestic abuse and sexual violence associated with forced marriages and their impact upon individuals
18. types and sources of information and support sought by individuals impacted by forced marriages
19. the actions available to you where disclosure of a forced marriage is identified
20. the role of principle external agencies and stakeholders who provide referrals and support to individuals impacted by forced marriages in your area
21. specialist support services available for individuals impacted by forced marriage and honour crimes
22. how to create an environment that puts individuals at ease
23. how to apply trauma informed practice in your area of practice
24. understand different trauma responses and their impact
25. how to apply a needs led, strength based approach specific to meet the needs of the individual
26. different trauma responses and their impact
27. the importance of sharing information with other agencies in the context of the individual’s safety, health and wellbeing
28. the principles governing when young people are considered sufficiently mature to give consent to their information being shared with other parties
29. the difference between information sharing on individual, organisational and professional levels
30. other parties who need, and are entitled to information, what information they are entitled to and when
31. how cultural, social and gender related aspects impact upon domestic abuse and sexual violence
32. how intersectionality impacts on how an individual experiences services
33. the importance of and methods for building trust and empathy with individuals
34. different styles and forms of communication and how to adapt them to meet the needs of individuals
35. common barriers to communication and ways to overcome them
36. the importance of being aware of your values and beliefs and the impact they may have
37. how to challenge discriminatory or potentially damaging attitudes and behaviour and the importance of doing so
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Domestic Abuse
A pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. The abuse can encompass but is not limited to, a combination of psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional abuse.
This definition also includes so-called ‘honour’ based violence, female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage. Children also experience domestic abuse when witnessing domestic abuse.
Intersectionality
The interconnected nature of social categorisations such as race, class, and gender, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage
Needs led approach
A form of advocacy that places the survivor at the centre of interventions and support work. This means listening to their story, concerns and struggles and identifying strengths. It results in the collaborative production of support packages that are specific to survivors’ individual needs. A needs-led approach is an empowering endeavour that pays attention to survivors’ intersectional circumstances, avoiding the traps of institutional bias or ineffective responses
Strength based approach
Recognising that individuals have strengths. These strengths are recognised and built on as part of aiding recovery.
People at risk
An individual who is defined as in need of special care, support, or protection because of age, disability, risk of abuse or neglect
Sexual Violence (see also definitions below that may be used covering sexual abuse or sexual assault)
Similar in nature to sexual abuse, but this term is more often used to describe brief or single incidences, such as if sexually assaulted by a stranger
Sexual Abuse
Undesired sexual behaviour by one person to another. This is often carried out by force or by taking advantage of the other person. This term is generally used when the sexual behaviour is regular or over a prolonged period of time.
Sexual Assault
Any unwanted sexual behaviour that a person has not consented to. This can range from rape to voyeurism or exhibitionism, to unwanted touching above or under clothes.
Trauma Informed Practice
An approach to health and care interventions which is grounded in the understanding that trauma exposure can impact on a person. Practitioners will work in ways so as to not inadvertently retraumatise impacted people and with an emphasis on client safety, choice, collaboration and empowerment.