What is Forced Marriage?

Forced marriage is illegal in the UK. But what exactly is it? And what can you do if you are taken abroad to be forced into marriage?

Read more about what to do if you are at risk of forced marriage here.

Arranged, or forced?

A forced marriage is one in which one or both people do not, or cannot consent to the marriage, but are coerced into it by their families or community. If you are under 18, this is automatically considered to be forced.

Forced Marriage is often confused with arranged marriages. While a marriage can be both forced and arranged, it’s important to recognise that they are not the same. Here’s how to tell the difference:

In an arranged marriage, both adults give their full consent to get married and enter the marriage willingly. They are based on mutual consent, often with the families involved in the introduction or planning, but the individuals have the freedom to accept or reject the arrangement. Many arranged marriages are not forced, as both adults give full consent.
In a forced marriage, one or both participants enter the marriage without giving their consent. They may go through with the wedding under duress from their families, which may be in the form of physical, emotional or coercive control.

You may not be sure if you’re being forced into the marriage, but if you don’t feel completely comfortable with the situation, and are feeling pressure to continue, this may still be a forced marriage.

Sometimes, what starts out as an ‘arranged’ marriage can quickly escalate to a forced marriage. It is not uncommon for one of the participants to change their mind, even on the wedding day, only for their families to force them to go through with it.

You may not be sure if you’re being forced into the marriage, but if you don’t feel completely comfortable with the situation, and are feeling pressure to continue, this may still be a forced marriage.

If your family is threatening you with violence if you don’t go through with a marriage, you should contact the police immediately. They will be able to assess your situation, advise you, and also refer you to support organisations.

Everyone has the right to make their own decisions about when and who they marry.

What is the law around marriage and Forced Marriage in the UK?

A forced marriage is defined as when 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. The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 made it a criminal offence in England, Wales, and Scotland to force someone into marriage, and it is a criminal offence in Northern Ireland under separate legislation.

This includes:

Taking someone overseas to force them into marriage, regardless of whether the marriage actually occurs.
Doing anything intended to cause a child to marry before their 18th birthday, even if no coercion or force is used.
Causing someone who lacks the mental capacity to consent to marry, whether they are pressured into the marriage or not.

In 2022, the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 raised the legal age of marriage to 18 in England and Wales. This means that 16- and 17-year-olds can no longer marry or enter a civil partnership, even with parental consent in these regions.

It is a criminal offence to arrange marriages for anyone under 18 under any circumstances, whether or not force or coercion is used. This includes non-legally binding ceremonies, which may be considered a marriage ceremony by the individuals and their families. These protections apply regardless of whether coercion can be proven.

Under the Forced Marriage Act 2007, you can apply to designated courts in England and Wales for a Forced Marriage Civil Protection Order (FMPO), or you can ask someone to do this on your behalf.

These orders can be used to prevent someone from being forced into a marriage or to protect someone if a forced marriage has already taken place, and a person may be arrested if they breach an order. Read more.

What if forced marriage happens abroad?

Forced marriage is illegal in the UK. If you are concerned you will be forced into marriage when abroad, contact us. Once you leave the UK, it is much harder to get help. However, there are steps you can take to improve your situation. Before you go, make sure you have:

Contact details for a trusted friend, and also for the British Embassy or High Commission in the country you’re visiting
Money, both in sterling and in the local currency
A spare mobile phone
A photocopy of your passport and your tickets

If you are abroad and are being forced into a marriage, you or someone you trust should contact the nearest British Consulate, Embassy or High Commission. They will contact the Forced Marriage Unit in the UK, and arrange help.

If you are still abroad and want to return to the UK, but you don’t have a passport, please contact us. Provided you are a British National, an emergency passport can be issued. If possible, take note of your passport number before you leave.

The Forced Marriage Unit will make arrangements for you to come back as soon as possible. However, if you do have to stay abroad for any length of time, the British Embassy will help you. If you can’t afford to come home, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office will cover the airfare back to the UK.

If you were forced into a marriage overseas and then return to the UK, you may be worried that your spouse will follow you here. In this situation, you should contact the Forced Marriage Unit.

What is the Multi-Agency Government Guidance on Forced Marriage?

In the UK, forced marriage is a crime. It is a form of abuse directed towards a child or vulnerable adult, including adults who are forced into marriage against their free will.

You can read the full Multi-agency statutory guidance for dealing with forced marriage and Multi-agency practice guidelines below.

Read the Government Guidance on Forced Marriage