Forced Marriage in Australia: Building a Social Response with Frontline Workers

Abstract

The practice of forced marriage has been the subject of focussed attention over the past 15 years in Australia. The policy approach has largely centred on criminal law responses. In this paper we turn to the social safety net, supports available for those experiencing pressure to marry or in a forced marriage, and their families. We report on eight focus groups with 56 participants working in key frontline roles, drawing on their perspectives to advance our understanding of key features of the social response. We identify four key features: the first is relational; frontline workers observe that an effective social response is contingent on trusting, client-led relationships. Secondly, appropriate framing and considered language is highlighted as critical. The third and fourth features are structural considerations within a social response: Australia's migration and asylum-seeking system and the resourcing of relevant social services.