Information for forced marriage victims

Our Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) is dedicated both to preventing British nationals being forced into marriage overseas and to assisting anyone in the UK faced with the prospect of being forced into a marriage. If you are worried that you might be forced into a marriage or are worried about someone else who may be you should contact us on:

020 7008 0151 (or 0044 20 7008 0151 if you are overseas)

We'll need to talk to you on the phone to work out a plan of action. Our caseworkers dealt with over 1468 cases in 2011 and are fully trained to deal with the emotional, cultural and social issues surrounding forced marriage.

Anything you tell us will be treated in complete confidence.

What is a forced marriage?

In a forced marriage you are coerced into marrying someone against your will. You may be physically threatened or emotionally blackmailed to do so. It is an abuse of human rights and cannot be justified on any religious or cultural basis.

It’s not the same as an arranged marriage where you have a choice as to whether to accept the arrangement or not. The tradition of arranged marriages has operated successfully within many communities and countries for a very long time.

For more information see our leaflet ‘What is a forced marriage?’ [PDF, opens in a new window]

FMU has also produced a booklet (PDF) aimed at members of the LGBT communities.

I'm frightened I might be forced into marriage during a family visit overseas, what should I do?

Call us on 020 7008 0151 before you go.

And you should think about whether you really want to go. Once you’re there you may:

• be isolated
• face emotional pressure
• be watched all the time
• have no money
• not have your passport or ticket
• be a long way from a telephone

If you still decide to go you should make sure you leave the following with a trusted friend:

• full address and telephone number of where you are going to stay abroad
• your passport details
• all your flight details (there and back)
  

Find out where the nearest embassy is and keep the phone number with you at all times.

If you can, take some money with you.

My sister/cousin/friend has not returned from a visit overseas and I’m worried she might have been forced into marriage, what should I do?

Contact us on 020 7008 0151. It will help us if you can give as many details as you can, such as:

• where the person has gone
• when they were due back
• when you last heard from them

We’ll contact the relevant embassy on your behalf and they will then try to make contact with the person.

I was forced into a marriage overseas, can you refuse my spouse a visa to come here?

We may be able to, but you may need to state publicly that you do not want your spouse to join you in the UK. Call us on 020 7008 0151 and we will advise you on what we can do to help.

If you have been forced into marriage our Survivor’s Handbook will offer you some advice and help you plan for the future.