Page 39 - Getting it Right for Vulnerable Children and Young People in North Ayrshire

• Health: Self harm, attempted suicide, eating disorders, depression, isolation, substance misuse. • Family History: Siblings forced to marry, pattern of early marriage in siblings, family disputes, running away from home, unreasonable restrictions. • Employment: poor performance, poor attendance, limited career choices, not allowed to work, unable to attend business trips, unreasonable financial control e.g. confiscation of wages. • Police involvement: young people within the family missing or reported missing, reports of domestic abuse, or breaches of peace at the family home, female genital mutilation, the victim is reported for offences such as shop lifting or substance misuse. The fact that a child under the age of 16 has participated in a marriage ceremony does not detract from our responsibility to assess the child’s needs and take action to protect them. Further Guidance Outwith the orders which exist through the Children’s Scotland Act, to protect and safeguard the wellbeing of children, there are further legal instruments which can be utilised to protect a victim of forced marriage such as exclusion orders and Forced Marriage Protection Orders. Comprehensive practice guidance is available from the Scottish Government here: Responding to Forced Marriage – Multi Agency Guidelines 17 Scottish Legislation and Statute can be found here: Forced Marriage etc. (Protection and Jurisdiction) (Scotland) Act 2011 17 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0041/00412492.pdf Getting It Right For Vulnerable Children and Young People in North Ayrshire Live V1.2 April 2014 Page No:39