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Problems

Forced Marriages

Forced marriage is where a person is coerced into marrying someone against their will. Pressure is exerted to accept a marriage proposal and this may be accompanied by emotional pressure, violence, sexual abuse. In 2006 the Home Office Minister Baroness Scotland stated “forced marriage is an abuse of human rights and a form of domestic violence which cannot be justified on religious or cultural grounds”.

Forced marriage is different to an arranged marriage where there is a choice and consent from both parties.

At present anyone found guilty of forcing someone into marriage can be prosecuted for kidnap, false imprisonment or rape. Later this year victims will have further protection when the Forced Marriage Civil Protection Act is implemented.

Victims do feel very isolated and often that there is no way out of their situation, but there are people who can give help, advice, information and support so it is important to speak out and not put up with something which is clearly an infringement of the human rights of any individual. A person has a right to choose who they wish to marry and have a right not to be forced into something against her/his will.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has set up a dedicated unit - The Forced Marriage Unit - which has a helpline staffed by trained professionals who can give advice and assistance to those who have been forced into marriage overseas or are at risk of being forced into marriage. They can also provide advice and support for people who may be worried about relatives and friends who find themselves victims of forced marriages.

If you need help or advice contact one of the following agencies.

  • Ashiana Project London: 020 8539 0427

  • Ashiana Sheffield: 0114 255 5740

  • The Doli Project: Birmingham: 0845 658 1057

  • Domestic Violence Helpline Greater Manchester: 0161 636 7525

  • Forced Marriage Unit: 020 7008 0151 / 020 7008 0230 / 020 7008 0135 (9am-5pm); 020 7270 1500 (out of hours), www.fco.gov.uk - On home page under section ‘FCO in action’ click on ‘How we help on forced marriages’.

  • Hemat Gryffe Women's Aid Glasgow: 0141 353 0859

  • Honour Network Survivors Helpline: 0800 5999 247 - National helpline for forced marriages and honour based killings, staffed mainly by survivors of forced marriages. Run by Karma Nirvana.

  • Iranian and Kurdish Women's Rights organization: 020 7490 0303 or 07862 73354

  • Karma Nirvana Asian Men & Women's Project: 01332 604098, www.karmanirvana.org.uk

  • Newham Asian women's Project: 020 8472 0528 East London

  • Roshini Nottingham Asian Women's: Aid 0115 948 3450

  • www.castewatchuk.org - Voluntary organisation committed to the elimination of caste discrimination providing support and other services to people who are the subject of caste discrimination in order to relieve their needs.

  • www.mixtogether.org - Online help site for mixed couples (mixed race, religion, caste), whose relationships are opposed by family or community.

  • www.equalityhumanrights.com - The Equality and Human Rights Commission Helpline gives information and guidance on discrimination and human rights issues - England: 0845 604 6610, Wales: 0845 604 8810, Scotland 0845 604 5510

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