Safeguarding people with learning disabilities at risk of forced marriage

The issue of forced marriage is often located within debates on violence against women, immigration control and cultural difference and rarely considers the very specific needs of children and adults with learning disabilities. Motivating factors for forcing people with learning disabilities to marry can differ from those frequently seen in forced marriage per se; most commonly they include obtaining a carer and can typically be related to the perceived stigma of disability in some communities. Many families, and indeed some practitioners, would not necessarily recognise a forced marriage as such; this has implications for inter-agency safeguarding practice. This paper considers the complexities involved in safeguarding people with learning disabilities who might be at risk and considers the factors impacting upon adequate safeguarding policy and inter-agency practice. Recommendations are made for future policy and service development in this complex and largely neglected area of practice.