Forced marriage

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

Forced marriage is when you face pressure to marry from your immediate family members or the wider community. This may take the form of physical/sexual violence, threats, emotional blackmail or revolve around notions of 'shame' and 'family honor'. Women and girls who are at risk of forced marriage often feel they are unable to say no to the marriage.

The Forced Marriage etc. (Protection and Jurisdiction) (Scotland) Act was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 22 March 2011 to provide a specific civil remedy for those threatened with forced marriage and those already in such a marriage. The Act received Royal Assent on 27 April 2011 and came into force on 28 November 2011 (ref: Scottish Government 2013.)

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.

Email:  fmu@fco.gov.uk
Tel:  0207 008 0151
From overseas: +44(0)207 008 0151
Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm
Out of hours:  0207 008 1500  (ask for the Global Response Centre)