Forced Marriage (FM)

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. Forced marriages happen in many religions and nationalities and it doesn’t just affect girls - boys can also be forced into marriage. It can also happen to children and adults. Refusing to marry someone chosen by the family may be seen as dishonourable which can then lead to honour based violence.

FM is recognised in the UK as a form of violence against women and men, domestic/child abuse and a serious abuse of human rights In the UK a Forced Marriage (FM) is recognised as a marriage conducted without the valid consent of one or both parties and where duress is a factor. FM is a specific offence under s121 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. Prior to the introduction of the offence, prosecutors dealt with FM cases using existing legislation such as false imprisonment, kidnapping and offences of violence where this is a feature of the offending.

Forced marriage is a form of abuse and a human rights violation. The responsibility for policy relating to forced marriage rests jointly with the Home Office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. They have established the Forced Marriage Unit whose role it is to provide information and support to victims of forced marriage and provide advice to professionals handling cases. Further information is available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.