As seen in the definition below, a forced marriage happens when someone (male or female) is faced with physical or emotional pressure to marry. The force may include threats of physical or sexual violence, financial abuse (e.g. the taking away of someone’s wages) and / or the individual being made to feel they are bringing shame on the family by refusing to marry. Forced marriage is illegal in England and Wales. Many forced marriage victims are children who are still at school.
Forced marriage
Forced marriages are illegal in the UK as is removing someone from the country for the purposes of forcing them to marry in a different country.
Definition of forced marriage
A forced marriage is where one or both people do not (or in cases of people with learning disabilities or reduced capacity, cannot) consent to the marriage as they are pressurised, or abuse is used, to force them to do so. It is recognised in the UK as a form of domestic or child abuse and a serious abuse of human rights.

The criminal offence of forced marriage includes taking someone overseas to force them to marry (whether or not the marriage takes place) or marrying someone who lacks the mental capacity to consent to the marriage (whether or not they are pressurised).
Forcing someone to marry can result in a 7 year prison sentence.
No major faith in the UK advocates forced marriage. Freely given consent is a pre-requisite of Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Islamic and Sikh marriages.
Resources
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Forced marriage – government website
Government website containing up to date contact details for the Forced Marriage Unit and more information about how to put processes in place stop a perceived forced marriage.
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The right to choose: government guidance on forced marriage
This multi-agency document comprises of statutory guidance for heads of safeguarding organisations, and non-statutory guidance for front-line professionals.
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What is forced marriage?
Short booklet setting out what forced marriage is and what can be done.
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Forced marriage: a survivor’s handbook
Short booklet giving survivors useful and practical information to help them take control of their life and focus on the future.
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- Training resources for DSLs to use in team meetings
- Reference documents for additional information
- Handout for school staff summarising forced marriage
- Quiz to test staff understanding