The horror of forced marriage was uncovered in Kent this week.

At a seminar on domestic abuse held at Kent Police College victims, ex-offenders and support groups heard about the pain it causes as they tried to think of ways to tackle the problem.

Charity Karma Nirvana supports victims of forced marriage and honour-based violence across the country.

Team Leader Shazia Qayum, 28, was a victim herself before she ran away. She told the conference yesterday she is still disowned by her family for doing so.

“Our helpline receives more than 50 calls a week from people in immediate crisis, as well as victims and survivors. We work to reduce isolation and save lives” said Miss Qayum.

“I came home from school one day at the age of 15 and was shown a picture of my first cousin. I was told I was going to marry him and that no was not an option.

“I was kept out of school for a whole year by my family and was chaperoned everywhere I went from then on.

“I thought “they cannot keep me out of school for so long without social services knocking on the door” but no-one came. The issue was not out in the open back then.

“On a family holiday to Pakistan when I was 17 I was forced into marrying my cousin and told I could only come back if I acted as a sponsor to get him into the UK.

“My two options were to either live a life of honour, living with someone I did not know or love, or I could leave him - I left at the age of 18.”

Shazia acknowledges the situation has improved now for those facing forced marriage, especially with the new Forced Marriage Unit.

“To eradicate the problem community leaders need to change their attitudes” she said.

“They have so much power because they are listened to by families. In this day and age I should not be told I am shameful for living my own life.”