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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, March 6, 2004: Official figures released today show that men are the hidden victims of forced marriages. A special unit set up by the British Foreign Office has helped over 600 British citizens to escape forced marriage overseas, mostly in Pakistan, but also in India, Bangladesh and even in Hong Kong, the US, China and different parts of Africa. The special unit was set up after reports that over 1,000, mostly Asian, girls were being forced into unwilling alliances every year in Britain. The number is said to be the “tip of the iceberg.” The Metropolitan Police issued an advisory to people who feared they could be forced into marriage on a visit abroad. It advised reporting to the police, leaving the passport photocopy with authorities and to inform about the likely return date to a friend. Originally, the police thought they would be dealing only with women, and were surprised at the number of men being forced into marriage.

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