Forced Marriages

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It is a fundamental human right to be able to marry a person of the opposite sex without duress or threats.

Since the inception of the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 came into force, the subject has gained notoriety. What must be recognised is the difference between a forced marriage and an arranged marriage.

A forced marriage is where a party to a potential marriage is forced through duress and threats to marry someone of the opposite sex. Victims can be male, female, homosexual, any race or nationality. An arranged marriage allows freedom of choice.

If you believe that you may become a victim of forced marriage, protection can be provided through this legislation. You do not have to contact the police yourself, but help can be sought by a number of organisations on your behalf, including your school, your local authority, a friend or another family member. You just need to get a message to the police or a friend or solicitor.

We can advise you as to the best way forward and find you protection, including obtaining a Forced Marriage Protection order, containing orders for non-molestation.

In the circumstances where you have already been forced into a marriage, you may seek the marriage to become annulled on the basis that you were under duress at the time of the marriage. We can advise you as to how to commence these proceedings.

Whilst help is more easily at hand in England and Wales, if you find yourself abroad, you can contact us from abroad, or ask a confidant to do so on your behalf. If you fear that you will be forced in a marriage before you go abroad, you should provide to a confidant, details of your passport, where you will be staying and any telephone numbers.

You must remember that you are not alone.