Making Research Count Workshop – Forced marriage of people with learning disabilities: Reasons, risks and responses
Rachael Clawson, the Project-lead, and Rachel Fyson a co-applicant on the My Marriage My Choice project are due to deliver a Learning Disability Services 2017 SCWRU & Making Research Count, CPD-certified workshop that explores aspects of working with people with learning disabilities. The forum engages speakers who are engaged in current research to provide research messages with a practice focus, to promote discussion and debate. Their workshop is entitled Forced marriage of people with learning disabilities: Reasons, risks and responses and will take place on Thursday 15 June 2017 at King's College London. For more details and free places visit Eventbrite.
New Journal Paper
A new journal article by Rachael Clawson and Rachel Fyson has now been published in Disability & Society Volume 32, 2017 - Issue 6, entitled Forced marriage of people with learning disabilities: a human rights issue.
Networking Visits
Anne Patterson, Research Fellow on the project visited the African Families Community Forum in East London to tell their membership more about the My Marriage My Choice Project.
Practitioner Workshop
Over 25 colleagues attended a workshop (on May 15 2017) about forced marriage organised by Ann Craft Trust. There was a presentation from Rachael Clawson, the My Marriage My Choice project-lead. There were several round-table discussions on a number of identified themes. Several attendees will now form a Working Group to shape future policy and practice around assessing capacity to consent to marriage.
Forced marriage awareness film
We have now engaged a film company to help us to produce an awareness film to be targeted mainly at people with learning disabilities and their parents/carers, though it will also be highly relevant for faith/community leaders and health and social care professionals. We are currently recruiting actors (amateur and/or professional) to help us in this endeavour.
Data Collection and Analysis
We are continuing to recruit interview and focus group participants and have this month travelled to London and the North West to interview relevant individuals and groups. We are very grateful for the time that people have taken to participate. We would still like to hear in particular from faith leaders who would be willing to participate. We have also now conducted focus groups involving social work and other professionals involved in adult health and social care in the West Midlands, London and North West.
Posted on Friday 9th June 2017