What is an arranged marriage?
Arranged marriages have worked well in society for many years.
An arranged marriage is when families of both
spouses take a leading role in arranging the
marriage but the choice whether or not
to accept the arrangement remains
with the prospective spouses.
What is a forced marriage?
A forced marriage is when one or both parties do not
consent to the marriage, and people are forced
into marriage against their will.
This is not the same as an arranged marriage,
where people have a choice about whether to accept the arrangement
or not.
Forced marriage is an abuse of human rights.
Both physical and emotional abuse may be used to coerce people into
the marriage.
What is the Forced Marriage Unit?
The
Forced Marriage Unit is a joint initiative of the Foreign
and Commonwealth Office and the Home Office. Their trained
professionals offer confidential advice and assistance to:
- those who have been forced into marriage
- those at risk of being forced into marriage
- people worried about friends or relatives
- professionals working with actual or potential victims of
forced marriage