There is a clear distinction between a forced marriage and an arranged marriage. In arranged marriages, the families of both spouses take a leading role in arranging the marriage, but the choice of whether or not to accept the arrangement still remains with the prospective spouses. However, in forced marriage, one or both spouses do not consent to the marriage but are coerced into it. Duress can include physical, psychological, financial, sexual and emotional pressure. In the cases of vulnerable adults who lack the capacity to consent to marriage, coercion is not required for a marriage to be forced.
The provision of consent is essential within all marriages – only the spouses themselves will know if they their consent is provided freely.
If you have any concerns about the well-being or safety of any young person or child in our care please contact TWGSB's Safeguarding Officers: Amanda Simpson, Headteacher, or Adam Lewis, Assistant Headteacher (adlewis@twgsboys.kent.sch.uk).
If families have to resort to violence or coercion alluded to above to make someone marry, that person’s consent has not been given freely and it is therefore considered a forced marriage.
Where a person lacks the capacity to consent to marriage, an offence is also capable of being committed by any conduct carried out with the purpose of causing the victim to marry, whether or not it amounts to violence threats or any other form of coercion.
While it is important to have an understanding of the motives that drive parents to force their children to marry, these motives should not be accepted as justification for denying them the right to choose a marriage partner and enter freely into marriage.
Forced marriage is a form of violence against women and men, domestic abuse, a serious abuse of human rights, and where a minor is involved, child abuse.
The Forced Marriage Unit is a joint Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Home Office unit. The FMU works with other government departments, statutory agencies and voluntary organisations to develop effective policy for tackling forced marriage. The FMU also has a caseworker who leads on cases involving people with learning disabilities.
The FMU runs an ongoing outreach programme raising awareness amongst frontline practitioners such as police, teachers, doctors, nurses and social workers across the UK. It also works in partnership with community organisations and voluntary organisations to tackle forced marriage. The FMU also provides an annual Domestic Programme Fund to support small projects to tackle forced marriage.
The FMU runs a public helpline that provides confidential advice and support to victims, and to practitioners handling cases of forced marriage. Caseworkers in the FMU have experience of the cultural, social and emotional issues surrounding forced marriage.
UK Cases
The FMU offers information and support to those who fear they will be forced into marriage and can discuss their options with them.
Overseas Cases
The FMU can assist British nationals facing forced marriage abroad by helping them to a place of safety and helping them to return to the UK.
Immigration Cases
The FMU can help those who have already been forced into marriage to explore their options, including assisting those who are being forced to sponsor a spouse’s visa for settlement in the UK.
The FMU is always happy to talk to frontline professionals handling cases of forced marriage at any stage in a case. It can offer further information and advice on the wide range of tools available to tackle forced marriage, including legal remedies, overseas assistance and how to approach victims. FMU staff can also speak at conferences or run training workshops to teams of frontline practitioners, and provide free leaflets and posters.
Address: Forced Marriage Unit, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, King Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AH
For all out-of-hours emergencies, please telephone 020 7008 1500 and ask to speak to the Global Response Centre.
Ashiana Network offers specialist refuge, advice, support and counselling services for black and minority ethnic women and girls (14+) affected by domestic violence, sexual violence, forced marriage, honour based violence, female genital mutilation and women who have no recourse to public funds.