Help Identify Risk of Forced Marriage

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) asked schools at the start of the year to learn the signs of forced marriage, in a bid to disrupt human trafficking in Australia. ACRATH and the AFP in collaboration with Catholic Education South Australia have responded and are offering schools the chance to learn more about the issue, and what action to take.

Secondary teachers across Australia are invited to participate in a one-hour webinar on Thursday 1 August 2024 (see times below). To register for the webinar via MS Teams click here.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare forced marriage has been the most reported form of modern slavery to the AFP in every year since 2015–16, with 90 reports in 2022–23. Forced marriage, which has been illegal in Australia since 2013, is often a complex and underreported crime.

AFP Commander Human Exploitation Helen Schneider said in January that parents, teachers and students are often the ones to first see a change in behaviour in victims of forced marriage.

“By educating the community of the prevalence of forced marriage and building awareness – particularly for those involved in school communities – we hope more people are empowered to seek help and report their experiences or suspicions to the AFP,” Commander Schneider said.

ACRATH’s Melissa Halliday, who will present the webinar, said the online event was open to all secondary teachers, because classroom, well-being and homeroom teachers each had different opportunities to observe behaviours of students.

“We know that an hour-long workshop cannot cover everything, but it is an important opportunity for school staff to learn key pieces of information, particularly how to identify students at risk,” Melissa said.

“Teachers already have huge workloads so this webinar isn’t about directing teachers on how to manage the issue, but rather helping them know the services and agencies they can go to for support.”

Melissa said that in Victoria forced marriage is now recognised as family violence, making it a well-being issue for schools that have mandatory reporting obligations.

Commander Schneider said the AFP does everything in its power to protect victims and survivors of human trafficking and put those responsible before the courts.

“Forced marriage is not limited to any cultural group, religion or ethnicity. Anyone can be a victim of forced marriage, regardless of their age, gender or sexual orientation. The number one priority of the AFP is to ensure victims are safe and have access to all the support they need, with our teams professionally trained to manage sensitive cases.”

The AFP said common signs of forced marriage include a person who may:

• Have a family history of elder siblings leaving education early, marrying early or indicating concerns of an early marriage;
• Be highly controlled by family or community members in and outside of the home, including surveillance; always accompanied; limited or no control of finances; limited or no control over life decisions, education and career choices;
• Have communications monitored or restricted;
• Express concern regarding an upcoming family holiday or overseas travel;
• Demonstrate feelings of conflict or concern for the ramifications if they do not go ahead with an agreed marriage or engagement; and,
• Express concern of physical or psychological violence for not fulfilling family or community expectations.

A forced marriage is when a person enters a marriage without freely and fully consenting, because they have been coerced, threatened, or deceived, or because they are incapable of understanding the nature and effect of a marriage ceremony, for reasons including age or mental capacity.

Melissa said ACRATH’s extensive range of online resources were regularly used by schools and she expected the webinar to be well attended.

The times for the webinar on 1 August 2024 are:

South Australia and Northern Territory 3.30pm to 4.30pm
Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria and Tasmania 4pm to 5pm
Western Australia 2pm to 3pm

To register for the webinar via MS Teams click here.