Faq

A Forced Marriage is a marriage conducted without the valid consent of both people, where pressure or abuse is used. An Arranged Marriage is not the same as a Forced Marriage. In an Arranged Marriage, the families take a leading role in choosing the marriage partner, but the choice of whether to enter the marriage is left to both people. A marriage must be entered into with the full and free consent of both people. Everyone involved should feel that they have a choice. The pressure put on people to marry against their will can be physical (including threats of or actual physical violence) or emotional (for example, when someone is made to feel like they're bringing shame on their family). In some cases people may be taken abroad without knowing that they are to be married. When they arrive in the country their passports may be taken by their family to stop them returning home. Forced Marriage is an abuse of Human Rights, and a form of Domestic Violence and Child Abuse!

There are housing services available for men and women. These are safe environments where you can get emotional and practical help such as access to counselling, as well as help with sorting out benefits and more permanent housing. You will be encouraged to become independent and to make your own decisions about your future.

Whilst we cannot guarantee your safety, we can put you in contact with agencies whose job it is to help protect you. You should always call the police if you are in immediate danger. Refuges can provide you with somewhere safe to stay if you choose to leave home. If you are a man or a couple leaving, there are ways we can help you be accommodated.

Think very carefully before you decide to go abroad. Once you are abroad, it will be much harder to get help. Make sure you take the address and contact details of a trusted friend and of the High Commission/Embassy in the country you are visiting. Also take some money with you in pounds and in the local currency, a spare mobile phone and a copy of your passport and tickets.

You or a trusted friend should contact the nearest British Consulate, Embassy or High Commission. They will contact the FMU in the UK and arrange for assistance.

If you haven't got the money, and you can't borrow it from friend or relative, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office may in some circumstances be able to loan you the money for a ticket. But you will have to pay this back when you get home.

The Forced Marriage Unit will try and 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 assist you.

Provided you are a British National, we can issue you with an emergency passport, it will be important for you to write your passport numbers separately if you can before you go abroad this will help you.

If your marriage is seen as valid in the country where it took place, in many cases it will be valid in the UK. You must talk to a solicitor, whether you had a religious or civil marriage. Religious divorce is not valid in the UK.

Your personal safety is important. If you ever feel that you are in danger you should contact the police. The police will be able to assess your situation and advise about your personal safety and also refer you to support organisations. They will not tell your family that you have made contact with them.

Yes, under the Forced Marriage Act 2007, you can apply to designated courts in England and Wales for a Forced Marriage Civil Protection Order, or ask someone to do so on your behalf. These orders can be used to prevent someone being forced into a marriage or to protect someone if a forced marriage has already taken place. A person may be arrested if they breach an order.

The Forced Marriage Unit may be able to help however you need to state publicly that you do not want your spouse to join you in the UK.