Child marriage: 250 rescued

British authorities rescued more than 250 children from forced marriages last year. In an alarming case, the youngest was a two-year-old, the government’s Forced Marriage Unit said on Tuesday.

British authorities rescued more than 250 children from forced marriages last year. In an alarming case, the youngest was a two-year-old, the government’s Forced Marriage Unit said on Tuesday.

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The unit, which is run by both the foreign and home ministries, said 82% of the rescued children were girls. It also gave advice or support in 1,485 cases in 2012, although it is believed many other forced marriages go unreported.

Forced and child marriages in Britain are found mostly among the Pakistani Kashmiri community. Cases have involved abduction.