What is a forced marriage?

Forced marriage is illegal in the UK. A forced marriage is a marriage where one or both people do not, or cannot, consent to the marriage. Forced marriage is when you face physical pressure to get married such as threats, emotional and psychological pressure and physical or sexual violence.

It is illegal to marry someone who lacks the mental capacity to consent to marriage and taking someone overseas to force them to get married.

An arranged marriage is not the same as a forced marriage. In an arrange marriage , the families take a leading role in choosing the marriage partner, but the choice of whether to enter the marriage is left to both people.

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