Forced Marriage

A forced marriage is where one or both people do not (or in cases of people with learning disabilities, cannot) consent to the marriage and pressure or abuse is used. It is an appalling and indefensible practice and is recognised in the UK as a form of violence against women and men, domestic/child abuse and a serious abuse of human rights.

The pressure put on people to marry against their will can be physical (including threats, actual physical violence and sexual violence) or emotional and psychological (for example, when someone is made to feel like they’re bringing shame on their family). Financial abuse (taking your wages or not giving you any money) can also be a factor.

Legislation on Force Marriage

• Taking someone overseas to force them to marry (whether or not the forced marriage takes place).
• Marrying someone who lacks the mental capacity to consent to the marriage (whether they’re pressured to or not).
• Breaching a Forced Marriage Protection Order is also a criminal offence.
• The civil remedy of obtaining a Forced Marriage Protection Order through the family courts will continue to exist alongside the new criminal offence, so victims can choose how they wish to be assisted.

For further information please go to:

• Home Office - Forced Marriage