Compulsory matrimonies seldom catch the parties off guard
During the summer breaks in Germany, numerous instances of involuntary marriage occur annually, a reality that's hard to fathom but has gained significant attention in schools due to preventive measures. As the summer nears, excitement is dampened by apprehension for some, wondering if their journey back to Germany is merely a family visit or a prelude to an unwanted marriage. Many educators are now all too aware of this predicament, particularly among young girls who fail to return to school post-vacations. These girls have been married during the summer under family coercion.
The exact number of forced marriages each year is challenging to quantify. Since 2011, when it was criminalized under Paragraph 237 of the German Penal Code (StGB), such cases have been recorded in the police criminal statistics. In 2022, a total of 67 cases and 68 victims were documented. Out of these, 31 forced marriages actually took place. Consultation centers speculate that the numbers are much higher. The "Help Line against Violence against Women" reported 180 consultations for 2023 where the topic of forced marriage was discussed.
A study is currently underway at the German Center for Integration and Migration Research (DeZIM) to gather more accurate data. Mathis Herpell told ntv.de, "We question not only a representative group of people but also ask if the person themselves has been affected by forced marriage." The researcher is involved in the study, which is still collecting data until the end of the year. Additionally, they are asking how many people know someone who has been affected by forced marriage. With these numbers, the researchers aim to determine the prevalence of forced marriage among the surveyed population. Their objective is a rough estimate of the cases in Germany.
The Women's Rights Organization Terre des Femmes (TdF) characterizes it as a significant issue. A recent survey by the Equal Opportunities Officer of the Berlin district of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg revealed that in Berlin alone, there were 496 cases of (imminent) forced marriage in 2022. 88% of the actual forced marriages took place abroad.
In Berlin, where the summer vacations commence in mid-July, "White Week" takes place in mid-June. The name derives from the white wedding gowns in which girls and young women are married. Terre des Femmes organizes "White Week" alongside the police in various schools to sensitize students and appeal to their civic duty. Teachers are well-informed about the issue.
TdF expert Myria Böhmecke witnessed 33 workshops during "White Week" in Berlin. "It's a significant issue," she told ntv.de. A teacher reportedly informed her about a boy subjected to pressure from several family members outside the school. A school social worker reportedly spoke of a girl kidnapped and her family has been attempting to retrieve her for a year.
Such experiences necessitate intensive prevention measures due to the difficulty of returning to one's home country once abroad. This is primarily due to family actions, such as the confiscation of passports and phones, leaving the affected individuals unaware of their location. "They have no money. They are overwhelmed and have few possibilities to seek help," says Boehmecke. In foreign countries, protective institutions and counseling centers may not always be available. If the forcibly married girl does not hold German citizenship, the German embassy in the respective country is powerless.
Unlikely escape
According to experts and professionals, forced marriages rarely occur unexpectedly. The website Zwangsheirat.de, which provides information for victims and professionals, lists several possible indicators for an impending forced marriage. This includes the fact that the girl is often heavily controlled and isolated. She is not permitted to attend extracurricular activities or is transported to and picked up from school. In many cases, siblings have already been married at a young age or have become parents early. The victims often report that they are aware of an upcoming celebration or that they will not return from the holidays.
Bohmecke has observed that many still believe it will not happen to them. "They have suspicions, but in most cases they don't want to believe it and move forward nonetheless." Some think they are still only 14 or 15 and believe they will wait for their parents. Or they think they have a say and can at least refuse the chosen candidate. "They think I can still say no," says the expert. "If anything, the engagement party will still take place. Then I'll come home again and can still call for help." In many cases, the wedding is already planned, and the guests are either already present or will arrive when the person is at the airport.
However, it is not easy for the victims to seek help even just before departure. This is because many are already strictly controlled before departure, and there is often great social pressure in their environment, stirring fear. Instead of confronting the problem directly, teachers could use various excuses like discussing last classwork or asking about a presentation to bring up the topic. School social workers are bound by confidentiality and cannot speak to parents without permission but can connect victims with counseling centers or protective institutions.
Victims hail from various nationalities, surprising many. A drop was noted in cases of victims from Arab countries, from 215 in 2017 to 143 in 2022 in Berlin. Similarly, the Syrian victim count dropped to 96 cases (2017: 114). The number of cases among people with Turkish migration background remained relatively stable, at 92 in 2017 and 94 in 2022. On the other hand, instances among folks from Balkan nations skyrocketed, soaring from 59 cases in 2017 to 121 in 2022.
The United Nations Children's Fund underlines that this issue isn't tied to a particular nationality, faith, or culture, but rather stems from deeply ingrained patriarchal ideals. Myria Behmecke pinpoints the root cause of enforced marriages as an "overly traditional perspective on men and women."
From an early age, girls and boys are molded to fulfill their future roles. Girls are instilled with the idea of becoming wives, mothers, and homemakers. This image of women is considered inalterable, with parents seeking suitable husbands for girls, and girls expected to enter marriage as virgins. Boys, meanwhile, are groomed to become family heads, wielding decisions. Women are expected to bow to them. As Behmecke explains, "It's essentially a tradition that's inherited, a construct of a patriarchal social structure."
