What is forced marriage?
In this section:
| 1. What is forced marriage? |
| 2. How to report forced marriage |
| 3. Forced marriage support organisations |
A forced marriage is where one or both people do not, or cannot, consent (agree) to the marriage.
Forced marriages can happen to anyone from any background and nationality, and can affect both males and females. It doesn’t only happen to young people, it can happen to adults too.
It's different to an arranged marriage where there's a choice and both people agree to it.
Forced marriage is often linked to honour-based abuse, although this isn't always the case.
Forced marriage and the law
It's illegal in the UK to force someone to marry, this includes:
- taking someone abroad to force them to marry (even if the forced marriage doesn't take place)
- marrying someone who can't consent to the marriage
You have the right to choose who you marry, when you marry or whether you want to get married or not.
Being forced to marry
It’s possible that your parents or family are forcing you to marry because they think it’s the best thing for you. Or some families may see forced marriage as part of their religion or culture.
They might be putting pressure on you in the following ways:
- physical abuse: threats, physical and sexual violence
- emotional and psychological abuse: making you feel like you're bringing shame on your family
- financial abuse: having your wages taken away or withholding money
If you've already been forced into a marriage this abuse might still be happening.
Forced marriage warning signs
Forced marriage could be happening to someone you know.
Some signs that someone could soon be (or is already) a victim of forced marriage:
- running away from home
- self-harming or attempted suicide
- depression, or becoming worried or withdrawn
- poor performance at work, school or college or unexplained absence
- a surprise engagement to a stranger you've not heard of before
- a sudden holiday (some people are tricked into going abroad for a holiday or to see relatives)
- no control over their own money
- not returning from a visit to another country