Forced marriage
A forced marriage is a marriage conducted without the full consent of both parties and where duress (emotional pressure in addition to physical abuse) is a factor. It is an entirely separate issue from arranged marriage, and the two should not be confused. In an arranged or assisted marriage, the families take a role in choosing and introducing the marriage partners, but the marriage is entered into freely by both people, without duress being a factor. In a forced marriage, this consent does not exist.
In 2004 the Government's definition of domestic violence was extended to include acts perpetrated by extended family members as well as intimate partners. Consequently, acts such as forced marriage and other so-called 'honour crimes', which can include abduction and homicide, can now come under the definition of domestic violence. Many of these acts are committed against children. The Government's Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) produced guidelines, in conjunction with the DCSF, on how to identify and support young people threatened by forced marriage. These are available below.
Resources
Guidance for
education practitioners
Guidance
for social workers
This guidance is currently being updated and will be re-published and placed on a statutory footing in the Autumn, following consultation.
Procedure
If there are concerns that a child (male or female) is in danger of a forced marriage, local agencies and professionals should contact the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU), where experienced caseworkers are able to offer support and guidance, by calling 020 7008 0151 or by visiting the FMU page of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website. The police and children's social care should also be contacted.
All those involved should bear in mind that mediation as a response to forced marriage can be extremely dangerous. Refusal to go through with a forced marriage has, in the past, been linked to so-called 'honour crimes'.
This page was last updated on 28 April 2008
