Forced Marriages

A forced marriage is where one or both people do not or cannot consent to the marriage and pressure or abuse is used to force them into the marriage.

It is also when anything is done to make someone marry before they turn 18, even if there is no pressure or abuse. 

Forced marriage is illegal in the UK. It is a form of domestic abuse and a serious abuse of human rights. 

The pressure put on people to marry against their will may be: 

• physical: for example, threats, physical violence or sexual violence. 
• emotional and psychological: for example, making someone feel like they are bringing ‘shame’ on their family.

Financial abuse, for example taking someone’s wages, may also be a factor.