LONDON, May 20 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – British charities working to end forced marriage have seen a spike in calls for help from girls terrified their parents will marry them off as soon as lockdown lifts.

“We expect forced marriages will escalate after the lockdown,” said Natasha Rattu, chief executive of Karma Nirvana which campaigns against forced marriage.

“We’re hearing that these marriages are being planned.”

Karma Nirvana said it had seen a 150% increase in teenagers calling about forced marriage since lockdown began on March 23 to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

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