Forced Marriage Unit

This page explains what the Forced Marriage Unit is and how it can help in cases of forced marriage.

The United Kingdom Government has set up the Forced Marriage Unit to provide practical support, information and advice to anyone who has been through or is at risk of a forced marriage. The Forced Marriage Unit is a joint initiative between the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the Home Office.

Overseas cases

If you or someone you know is a British citizen, has been taken overseas, is being forced into marriage and wants help, the Forced Marriage Unit may be able to arrange for them to be rescued and brought back to the United Kingdom.

Visa cases

If you have been forced to marry overseas and you are now being forced to sponsor a visa for your spouse, you can contact the Forced Marriage Unit for advice. They can talk you through your options and may be able to make sure that the visa is refused.

Reporting cases of forced marriage

To report a case (or suspected case) of forced marriage, call the Forced Marriage Unit on 020 7008 0151. All the information you give will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Guidance from the Forced Marriage Unit

The Forced Marriage Unit has produced information and guidance for:

• people who are afraid that they may be forced into marriage during a family visit overseas, those who have already been forced into marriage, and their friends and families; and
• third parties, such as teachers and GPs, who may be asked for help by a potential victim of forced marriage.

You can find more guidance, as well as contact details for other organisations providing help and advice, on the Forced Marriage Unit website.