Page written and resources collated by Anna Hayman, Senior Wellbeing Practitioner
Forced marriage is when you are married against your will or where you are bullied or threatened into agreeing to marry. The government describes it as “a marriage in which one or both spouses do not (or, in the case of some adults with learning or physical disabilities, cannot) consent to the marriage and duress is involved. Duress can include physical, psychological, financial, sexual and emotional pressure”.
Forced marriage is different from an arranged marriage. In an arranged marriage your family takes a lead in introducing your future husband or wife, but you choose whether or not you want to marry them.
If your family is forcing you into a marriage you don’t want, and are prepared to threaten or hurt you, then this is sometimes called ‘honour’-based violence.
Please note that whilst we hope that all of the resources below are useful, the Student Wellbeing Service does not endorse the opinions expressed by other parties.
