The crime of forced marriage

In the UK, the legal joining of two loving partners in marriage is assumed to be a joyful occasion, entered into with the free and full consent of both. If either partner has been forced into the marriage by threatened or actual violence, blackmail or psychological manipulation, this goes against the whole idea and is a repulsive subversion.

Forced marriage was made a criminal offence in 2014 (a year later in Scotland) with a prison sentence for offenders. Anyone who is in a forced marriage, or about to be in a forced marriage, can report it to the authorities.

• In England, Wales & N.Ireland, see this webpage.
• In Scotland, see this webpage.

It is possible for victims to apply for a Forced Marriage Protection Order through the Family Courts. To these can be attached the power of police arrest, along with prohibitions on the perpetrator’s behaviour.

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