Guidance for victims and potential victims of forced marriage, and for their friends and families
This page contains guidance from the United Kingdom Government's Forced Marriage Unit for people who have been forced into marriage, those who are at risk of forced marriage, and their friends and families.
On this page
If you think you may be forced into marriage during a family visit overseas
If you think you may be forced into marriage during a family visit overseas, call the Forced Marriage Unit on 020 7008 0151 before you go.
You should also think about whether you really want to go. Once you arrive, you may:
- be isolated;
- face emotional pressure to get married;
- be watched all the time;
- have no money;
- not have your passport or ticket; and
- be a long way from a phone.
If you decide to go, before you leave you should give a trusted friend:
- the full address and phone number of the place where you will be staying;
- your passport details; and
- all your flight details (there and back).
You should also find out where the nearest embassy is and keep the phone number with you at all times. If you can, take some money with you.
If a friend or relative has not returned from a visit overseas and you are worried that they may have been forced into marriage
If you are worried that a friend or relative may have been forced into marriage abroad, call the Forced Marriage Unit on 020 7008 0151. It will help if you can provide as many details as you can, including:
- where your friend or relative has gone;
- when they were due back; and
- when you last heard from them.
The Forced Marriage Unit will contact the relevant embassy on your behalf, and the embassy will then try to make contact with your friend or relative.
If you have been forced into a marriage overseas
If you have been forced into a marriage overseas, the Forced Marriage Unit can refuse your husband or wife a visa to come to the United Kingdom. However, you must be willing to state publicly that you do not want them to join you here.
You should call the Forced Marriage Unit on 020 7008 0151 for advice about what you can do.