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Forced Marriage

Forced marriages are an abuse of human rights and a form of domestic violence (and child abuse for those under 18). They occur when one or both parties have been pressurised or forced into a marriage against their will. They involve duress which can be financial, emotional and physical including being held captive, assaulted or raped.

Forced marriages are not a religious or cultural issue (although the family may insist that they are) and are not the same as arranged marriages where individuals have choice. In an arranged marriage, the families take a leading role in choosing the marriage partner. The marriage is entered into freely by both people. A marriage must be entered into with the full and free consent of both people.

A person may be under both physical pressure, such as threats or actual physical harm, or emotional pressure, such as when someone makes a person feel that they are bringing shame on their family to get married.

In some cases people may be taken abroad without knowing that they are to be married. When they arrive in the country their passports may be taken by their family to try and stop them from returning home.

Sources of advice & support

If someone is being forced into a marriage either in the UK or abroad, the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU), part of the UK Government, can help. Case workers understand the issues, the family pressures and how difficult it is to talk about these situations

The Forced Marriage Unit www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/when-things-go-wrong/forced-marriage/information-for-victims - 020 7008 0151

The Honour Network www.karmanirvana.org.uk/ 0800 5999 247

Police, Health, Education and Social Services have each received guidance on how to deal with forced marriage and adherence to this guidance will be required in October. For copies of the guidance see www.fco.gov.uk/forcedmarriage.

Locally, domestic violence services can offer support to those faced with, or have experienced, forced marriage.

Government policy

www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime/violence-against-women-girls/

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