Police Ask Schools to Be on Alert as Number of Forced Marriages in Australia Increase

Police say forced marriage has historically been an under-reported crime in Australia and are asking schools to look for warning signs as students return.

An abandoned children’s toy is seen on a path in Canberra, Australia on Dec. 10, 2021. AAP Image/Lukas Coch

The number of forced marriages reported to the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) has increased from 91 in 2023/24, to 118 in 2024/25.

“As Australian school communities prepare to ring in a new year, it’s an exciting time for everyone involved, from teachers and principals to parents and guardians,” said the commander of the Australian Federal Police’s (AFP) efforts to combat human exploitation, said Commander Helen Schneider.