Introduction

What is a forced marriage?

A forced marriage happens when one or both participants are coerced into matrimony - without their free consent.

They may have been emotionally blackmailed, physically threatened or abused.

Forced marriages differ from arranged ones, which may have been set up by a relative or friend, but are willingly agreed to by the couple.

An indication of being made to marry someone against their will is 'a feeling', says Sue from Central Manchester Women's Aid. "You know from a young age whether you can say yes or no to your parents.

"And on the day of the ceremony, it is extremely difficult for anyone to say no when everything has been organised."

Some young people, especially of South Asian origin, have been taken on visits to the subcontinent by their families, unaware of plans to marry them off. Passports have been confiscated to prevent them returning home.

Those who either have been or fear being forced into marriage can become depressed and frightened, develop mental and physical health problems and harm themselves.

A number of those trying to escape unwanted unions have even become victims of honour-based violence or committed suicide.

No major world faith advocates forced marriages although some may try to justify it on religious grounds.

The practice crosses boundaries of culture and class and happens worldwide, but it especially concerns those living in and originating from Asia.

"It’s tradition, not religion, that is the problem," says Jasvinder Sanghera, who runs a charity that helps forced marriage victims and survived a forced marriage herself.

Forced marriages in the UK

The UK's Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) received 1063 reports of possible forced marriages between January and August 2009 – an increase of 25% on the same period in 2008.

The majority involved families of Pakistani background with the rest originating from others parts of South Asia, Middle East, Europe and Africa.

Nearly 40% of the cases dealt with by the FMU concerned people under the age of 18.

Women and girls were the victims in 85% of the total cases.

The nature of forced marriage means that a number of them are not reported so the true scale of the problem remains unclear.

Laws to prevent forced marriages and provide a way out for those already in an unconsented union were introduced in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in November 2008.

Anybody convicted of coercing someone into marriage could be jailed for up to two years.

Human rights' violation

International bodies have condemned forced unions and supported women's right to choose their marriage partner.