Since the agreement of a Joint Action Plan in August 2000 the FCO and the Home Office have been working closely with other Government departments, voluntary organisations and the police, to support people at risk of being forced to marry against their will. The FCO/Home Office Joint Action Plan was produced in response to the report of the working group on forced marriages 'A Choice by Right' .

A Choice By Right - The report of the Working Group on Forced Marriage (June 2000)  (PDF, 1Mb)

Following a national consultation in 2005 on whether to create a specific criminal offence of forcing someone into marriage, the Government announced its decision not to introduce specific legislation in June 2006. We are now pursuing the recommendations for non-legislative measures, including increasing training to professionals. We are keen to further raise awareness of the abuse across the statutory sector and provide expert advice to professionals confronted by it for the first time.

In Autumn 2008 the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 will come into force. This Act is a hugely significant step forward in tackling the harmful practice of forced marriage and protecting the rights of women, in particular, but of all individuals to choose whom and when to marry. The Act gives the courts a wide discretion to deal flexibly and sensitively with the circumstances of each individual case, employing civil remedies that will offer protection to victims without criminalising members of their family. It will help strengthen the clear signal that forced marriages will not be tolerated.

Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 – Relevant Third Party Consultation Paper

We do this in two ways. First, by conducting a wide-ranging strategy of public speaking and outreach work. Members of the Unit are happy to discuss the possibility of visiting your organisation to provide training to staff on the issue of forced marriage. Please contact fmuoutreach@fco.gov.uk to arrange this. If a personal visit isn't possible, we will be happy to send you an information pack (including a DVD) to assist you in giving the presentation yourself.

Secondly, we produce specific guidance for professionals. So far, and in close liaison with professional bodies and practitioners, we have produced guidance for social workers, police officers and health and education professionals. We have also started an awareness-raising programme for registrars and will shortly be publishing a handbook of legal remedies.

Following a promise in the strategy paper on 'Securing the UK Border' (March 2007), the Government has published a consultation paper on new arrangements for marriage visas. Part of this consultation will look at measures that can be taken to protect people against coercion, potentially violent or abusive situations and forced marriage.

Marriage to Partners from Overseas. A Consultation Paper (December 2007)

If you fear that someone you have contact with is at risk of forced marriage overseas then please ring one of our caseworkers as soon as possible. The sooner we know about the case, the more we can do to help.

Our number is: 020 7008 0151

Did you know?

• Hundreds of young people, some as young as 13, are taken abroad each year and forced into marriage.
• Forced Marriage is not the same as an arranged marriage in which both spouses can choose whether or not to accept the arrangement. In Forced Marriage one or both spouses do not consent to the marriage and some element of duress is involved. Duress includes both physical and emotional pressure.
• Forced Marriage can involve child and sexual abuse including abduction, violence, rape, enforced pregnancy or enforced abortion.
• Refusing to marry can place a young person at risk of murder, also known as 'Honour Killing'.
• Forced Marriage is not sanctioned within any culture or religion.
• The majority of cases in the UK involve South Asian families, and a number of cases have arisen in the East Asian, Middle Eastern, European and African communities.

Young people rarely feel able to disclose their fears about Forced Marriage. As a professional coming into contact with young people, however, you should be alert to the following warning signs, which may indicate the possibility of an impending Forced Marriage.

• Education: Extended absence from school/college, truancy, drop in performance, low motivation, excessive parental restriction and control of movements, history of siblings leaving education to marry early
• Employment: Poor attendance in the workplace, poor performance, parental control of income, limited career choices
• Health: Evidence of self-harm, treatment for depression, attempted suicide, social isolation, eating disorders, substance abuse
• Family History: Family disputes/conflict, domestic violence/abuse, running away from home

A young person demonstrating the above behaviours may not necessarily be at risk of a Forced Marriage.

However:

• If you notice any of these warning signs, and feel concerned about a potential Forced Marriage, please contact the FMU at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office who can give immediate advice on prevention. Your concerns will be taken seriously. All calls are confidential.
• If a young person has already been taken overseas, we may be able to assist with their return to the UK, and advise on continuing support networks for the young person.

Specific Guidance for Social Workers, Police Officers and Education Professionals

Social Services

In March 2004 the government launched guidelines for social workers who encounter cases of forced marriage. The launch was the culmination of a two-year cross-governmental project and the guidelines were endorsed by the FCO, the Home Office, the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), the Department of Health and the Association of Directors of Social Services.

Social services are ideally placed to identify early signs of potential forced marriage and to take action to prevent the abuse occurring. Often social workers are the only people from the statutory sector that potential victims of forced marriage will see. Thus, their initial response plays an important role in determining the final outcome of the case.

Young people & vulnerable adults facing forced marriage. Practice Guidance for Social Workers.  (PDF, 629Kb)

Police Forces

The Police are playing a powerful role in combating forced marriage across the country. These efforts are being driven forward by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Working Group on Forced Marriage.

Guidelines for the Police (now in their second edition) detail what action officers should take when confronted by the full range of potential scenarios.
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Guidance for Police Officers 'Dealing With cases of Forced Marriage'  (PDF, 2.9M)

Education Professionals

In many cases the only opportunity to stop a forced marriage will be through education professionals recognising the warning signs in the classroom or lecture theatre.

With this in mind the FCO and the Department for Education and Skills have collaborated to produce guidelines for education professionals on handling cases of forced marriage.

Dealing with Cases of Forced Marriage. Guidance for Professionals  (PDF, 313Kb)

Further information for education professionals on how to tackle forced marriage, and other forms of abuse, can be found at TeacherNet

Further guidelines can be found on the Home Office website - see Home Office - Forced Marriages

Health Professionals

Health professionals are some of the very first people to see cases of forced marriage. 80% of women in a violent relationship, for example, have sought help from the health service at least once. It's vital, therefore, that we provide the latest, up-to-date guidance on dealing with cases of forced marriage. Aimed at frontline practioners such as GPs, school nurses, midwives, and A&E staff, the guidelines provide practical advice on how to recognise the warning signs, and what to do if a patient discloses that they have been, or are about to be forced to marry.

Dealing with Cases of Forced Marriage: 'Practice Guidance for Health Professionals'  (PDF, 964K)

Marriage to Partners from Overseas

A Consultation Paper has been published on marriage to partners from overseas to help fulfil the Government’s promise made in its strategy “Securing the UK Border” (March 2007) to consult on new arrangements for marriage visas. If you would like to take part in this consultation, you can access this document on :
Marriage to Partners from Overseas. A Consultation Paper (December 2007)