Child Brides in the UK > Forced marriages - at least 100 girls under 12; 27 under 5 years old

 

UK: At least 100 girls 12 and under flagged as forced-marriage victims, 27 are under five years old

Sep 9, 2026 11:00 am By Christine Douglass-Williams7 Comments

The reality of open-door, suicidal immigration policies will continue to erode Britain and its values, and subject women and girls to extreme abuse. While Western constitutions and legal frameworks protect human rights — gender equality and religious freedom — reckless, cowardly leaders surrendered those rights to appease the worst elements of foreign religions and cultures.

“The Prophet married her when she was six years old and he consummated his marriage when she was nine years old. Hisham said: I have been informed that `Aisha remained with the Prophet for nine years (i.e. till his death).” — Sahih al-Bukhari 5134

Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip, Al Jazeera English, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0

Warning as at least 100 children aged 12 or younger in ‘forced marriage’ concerns

by Y. Áine Fox & Ian Jones, The Independent, August 31, 2026:

At least 100 children aged 12 or younger have been referred to the government’s forced marriage unit over the last five years, figures show, alongside warnings from a campaigner that “there will be missing children” when schools re-open after the summer holidays.

The total includes 27 children up to five years old, according to Home Office data obtained via a Freedom of Information request.

Forcing someone into marriage is a criminal offence across the UK, with the legal age of marriage in England and Wales raised from 16 to 18 in 2023.

The forced marriage unit (FMU) operates nationwide and receives referrals from police, social services, education staff, friends, family, colleagues, or individuals seeking help and guidance directly.

The details released cover five calendar years from 2021 to 2025. Figures for certain years were withheld due to low numbers that could risk identifying the individuals involved.

Overall, the data confirms at least 100 children up to 12 years old were referred across the five-year period, including 62 aged 10 or under, and 27 aged five or below.

The Home Office said a referral means some details have been provided to the unit about an actual, potential or suspected forced marriage, but that not every referral means a forced marriage has or will take place….

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