There is a difference between forced marriage and the tradition of arranged marriages. In arranged marriages the families of both spouses take a leading role in arranging the marriage, but the individuals concerned are given a free choice whether or not to accept the arrangement.

A forced marriage can often involve other forms of abuse including:

• Abduction
• False imprisonment
• Enslavement
• Emotional abuse
• Physical abuse
• Rape
• Sexual abuse
• Forced pregnancy
• Death

The majority of cases of forced marriage reported to date in the UK, involve South Asian families. This is partly a reflection of the fact that there is a large, established South Asian population in the UK. However, it is clear that forced marriage is not solely a South Asian problem and there have been cases involving families from the Middle East, Europe and Africa.

People at Risk

• Young people, 13-18 years old
• Girls
• Young people with learning difficulties
• Young people with physical disabilities
• Young people who are perceived by their families to be presenting difficult or challenging behaviours
• Young people who are suffering from mental health issues
• Young people who are perceived to be more westernised in their outlook

Perpetrators – usually parents or family members- could be prosecuted for offences including threatening behaviour, assault, kidnap, abduction, theft (of passport), threat to kill, imprisonment and murder.

Sexual intercourse without consent is rape, regardless of whether this occurs within marriage or not.

Forcing someone to marry is a criminal offence in the UK. If found guilty in court, parents or family members forcing someone to marry can be prosecuted and receive a jail sentence.

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