A groundbreaking New Vic Borderlines project called 'life saving' by Scotland Yard and the Crown Prosecution Service is touring to Staffordshire schools.
Backed by the UK government, All Our Daughters? aims to raise the issues surrounding forced marriages and so called 'honour' violence with schoolchildren for the very first time.
All Our Daughters?, a drama dealing with forced marriage, is touring to Staffordshire schools. Picture by Andrew Billington
Based on the testimonies of real women, the drama and accompanying workshops will travel to schools, colleges and community venues across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire over the next month.
The project aims to increase understanding of the problem so that children, teachers and other professionals are more prepared to spot tell-tale signs and help those who may be vulnerable.
Supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the joint Home Office/Foreign Office’s Forced Marriage Unit and the Department for Children, Families and Schools, the event and tour are being hosted and devised by Staffordshire’s award-winning community initiative, New Vic Borderlines.
Said Borderlines Director Sue Moffat: “Honour-related crime is different from other forms of violence because of its collective nature – actions are often condoned and kept secret by the family and community. Young people are particularly vulnerable.
“Children can literally disappear from schools and people assume it is part of the culture to go abroad and get married. It is often a school friend, or a teacher who can play an enormous part in spotting a problem.
“We want to put forced marriage on the agenda so that young people know how to support each other, and help those who fear honour-based violence to have the confidence to come forward and report their concerns.”
The first scheme of its kind in the UK, All Our Daughters? will pilot in Staffordshire with the potential to tour nationally.
Last week, best-selling author Jasvinder Sanghera, Crown Prosecution Service Director, Nazir Afzal OBE, and expert in ‘honour’ crimes Metropolitan Police Detective Inspector Brent Hyatt were keynote speakers at a conference in North Staffordshire, launching the newly commissioned theatre piece.
Det. Inspector Hyatt led the high profile inquiry into the honour killing of 17 year-old Heshu Jones. He said:"It is without doubt an enormously worthwhile project that I am sure will significantly contribute to saving lives.
"Forced marriage and honour based violence is extraordinarily difficult to fully understand. Comprehending the unique position and vulnerability of victims and mindset of perpetrators is key to dealing with this issue.
"A theatre piece that is so effective in conveying the complexity of these issues is an extraordinary accomplishment."
Forced marriage
A forced marriage is a marriage where one or both partners do not consent to the marriage or consent is extracted under duress.
This is not to be confused with an arranged marriage, where the marriage is entered into freely by both people.
If you or someone you know is being forced into a marriage, you can contact the Forced Marriage Unit for confidential help and advice. Call 020 7008 0151 or out of office hours call 020 7008 1500.
New Vic Borderlines works with some of North Staffordshire’s most disadvantaged communities: young people in trouble, people with learning disabilities and children under seven and their families. The team uses theatre to help people find new and positive ways to understand themselves, their communities and their responsibilities. They challenge destructive and anti-social attitudes, build self-awareness and self-worth, and develop positive attitudes.
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