Forced Marriage Unit helped 250 children last year 5 March 2013 Last updated at 05:10 At least 250 children in the UK were helped by a unit set up to tackle forced marriages last year, with the youngest case involving a two-year-old. The Forced Marriage Unit gave advice or support in 1,485 cases in 2012, although it is believed many other forced marriages go unreported. Of the children in these cases, 82% were female and 18% male. The authorities can intervene when they believe there is a risk that children under 18 may become victims. Civil courts have the power to issue Forced Marriage Protection orders to prevent weddings from taking place. While there is a long-standing tradition of arranged marriages in Asian communities that have the consent of those taking part, forced marriages can involve kidnapping and physical and mental abuse. The Forced Marriage Unit's report said there were there were 114 cases of forced marriage involving people with disabilities, and 22 cases involving victims who identified themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. The unit is a joint initiative between the Foreign Office and Home Office. Outside the UK it works with embassy staff to rescue victims who may have been held captive and forced into getting married. In the UK it assists actual and potential victims of forced marriage, as well as professionals working in the social, education and health sectors. Prime Minister David Cameron has vowed to stamp out the practice by introducing new laws which would make it a criminal offence in England and Wales.