ALMOST one in five of all forced marriage cases dealt with locally now involve men as victims, according to latest figures out today.

The Government’s Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) has also revealed that male victims are up 65 per cent on 2008/09 — prompting ministers to urge men to speak out.

Last year, the FMU, a joint initiative by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Home Office, received 220 reports of suspected forced marriages involving male victims, which also now make up 18 per cent of all cases recorded in the North West.

Latest figures for January to May this year show that the FMU has already received 80 reports of men being forced into marriage and has seen a number of cases linked to sexuality.

This includes male victims being forced to marry women because their families know or suspect they are gay or bisexual.

Foreign office minister Jeremy Browne said: “Although this continues to be an issue affecting both men and women, people often don’t realise that men can be victims of forced marriages.

“Boys and men who are forced into marriage find it harder to ask for help than women, but we are urging males affected by forced marriage to speak out and seek the help that is available to them.”

Greater Manchester Police has become one of the first forces in the country to adopt a policy to specifically tackle forced marriages and so-called “honour” killings.

The policy is based on increasing awareness for officers to deal with cases where young family members are killed or forced into marriage to preserve their family’s “honour”.

Supt Phil Owen, who is responsible for the Safeguarding Vulnerable People Unit, said: “We only have one chance to get it right and victims must feel confident and be able to trust the police if they are to come forward.”

Anyone who has been forced into marriage in the UK or overseas, or who knows a person who may have been, is asked to call the FMU, in confidence, on 020 7008 0151, email fmu@fco.gov.uk or visit fco.gov.uk/forcedmarriage