University of Nottingham experts are part of a new study to investigate the extent of forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
Dr Helen McCabe, an expert in forced marriage, and Dr Katie Severn, a mathematician, will work with academics at the University of Birmingham to understand the prevalence of these crimes, which until now, have been challenging to track.
The project team have been awarded a contract by the UK Home Office to develop tools that can clarify the picture, and, in the long term, help determine the effectiveness of interventions to tackle these two crimes.
Previous measurement tools have been developed within a variety of different contexts and are based on a range of different assumptions including, for example, how data is collected, or how stigmatised survivors of abuse are.
The range of different information sources, combined with the hidden nature of crimes – particularly since they frequently take place within the family unit – makes it very difficult to compare data and build a comprehensive picture.
The project will start with the researchers working with key stakeholders, including government agencies, third sector organisations, academics and community organisations, to identify where information is available and what measurement methods could be used to tap into this information.
This information will feed into the development of a comprehensive measurement tool that can be used to determine the prevalence of these hidden crimes.
We currently have no clear idea about the prevalence of forced marriage or FGM in the UK. This makes it very difficult to generate evidence-based policy, and to understand what interventions work. This project offers an exciting opportunity to develop tools for generating this much-needed baseline data on prevalence, from which more effective policy and action can be built.
Applying mathematical and statistical methodology to estimate prevalence of female genital mutilation and forced marriage should yield powerful insights that can help inform policies to reduce these crimes.
Lead researcher Dr Rowland Seymour, of the University of Birmingham's School of Mathematics, explained: "Measurement is crucial in identifying who needs to be protected from female genital mutilation and forced marriage. It's only by understanding the scale of the problem that we can seek full accountability through our criminal justice system."
