Forced Marriage & Predatory Marriage

Forced marriage is when you are forced to get married when you do not want to.

The people forcing you to get married might be parents, families or religious leaders. Sometimes they do it because they want someone else to look after you, they don’t agree with your sexuality, for financial reasons, to strengthen ties between families, or to help someone get residency in a country.

They might threaten you, treat you badly, or emotionally blackmail you so that you go along with the marriage. They might say that if you don’t get married you will bring shame on the family, say someone could get ill, or tell you that you can’t have any money or freedom if you refuse to get married.

Anyone may be forced into marriage it happens to people of all ages, genders, ethnicities and religions.

Forced marriage is a criminal offence and it can never be justified on any religious or cultural basis.

Forced marriages are not the same as arranged marriages where families take the lead in selecting a marriage partner, but both people can choose not to get married.

If you think you or someone else is being forced to get married speak to the Forced Marriage Unit: 020 7008 0151

Predatory marriage is when you do not have the mental capacity to agree to getting married, and you are exploited by someone, resulting in you marrying them.

Predators will target and marry someone to take their money, belongings and property, to abuse them, or to control them. Often, they do not understand what is happening to them, what legal papers they are signing, or what marriage means.

Being married revokes any existing will, so the predator will inherit the estate when the vulnerable person dies.

Predatory Marriage is mostly carried out in secret without family or friends knowing or suspecting that it is happening, but there are some signs that someone is at risk, including:
•    a new or secretive friendship or relationship, often with a large age difference
•    being confused about who the new person in their life is
•    being influenced or controlled by someone new in their life
•    being isolated from existing family and friends
•    being worried to discuss their relationship