Forced marriage

Contact the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) if you’re trying to stop a forced marriage or you need help leaving a marriage you’ve been forced into.

Forced Marriage Unit
[email protected]
Telephone: 020 7008 0151
From overseas: +44 (0)20 7008 0151
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Out of hours: 020 7008 5000
Find out about call charges

Call 999 in an emergency.

A trained professional will give you free advice on what to do next.

They can also help you:

  • find a safe place to stay
  • stop a UK visa if you’ve been forced to sponsor someone

What forced marriage is

You have the right to choose who you marry, when you marry or if you marry at all.

Forced marriage is when you face physical pressure to marry (for example, threats, physical violence or sexual violence) or emotional and psychological pressure (for example, if you’re made to feel like you’re bringing shame on your family).

If you’re under 18 any marriage is considered a forced marriage, even if there is no physical or emotional pressure involved.

Forced marriage offences

Forced marriage is illegal in England and Wales. This includes:

  • taking someone overseas to force them to marry (whether or not the forced marriage takes place)
  • arranging a marriage for someone who lacks mental capacity (whether they’re pressured to or not)
  • arranging a marriage for someone before they turn 18

Forcing someone to marry can result in a sentence of up to 7 years in prison.

Forced marriage protection orders

You can ask the court for a forced marriage protection order.

Each order is unique, and is designed to protect you according to your individual circumstances. For example, the court may order someone to hand over your passport or reveal where you are.

In an emergency, an order can be made to protect you immediately.

Disobeying a forced marriage protection order can result in a sentence of up to 5 years in prison.

Forced marriage abroad

Contact the FMU if you think you’re about to be taken abroad to get married against your will.

Contact the nearest British embassy if you’re already abroad.

If someone you know is at risk

Contact the FMU if you know someone who’s been taken abroad to be forced into marriage.

Give as many details as you can, for example:

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

The FMU will contact the relevant embassy.

If they’re a British national, the embassy will try to contact the person and help them get back to the UK if that’s what they want.

Support for victims

Read the handbook about being a survivor of forced marriage. It has details of organisations that can give you help and advice.

Get support if you’re a victim of forced marriage in Scotland.

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