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In forced marriage, one or both spouses do not consent to the marriage and some element of duress is involved. Duress includes both physical and emotional pressure and abuse.

So called ‘honour’ based violence (HBV) is a collection of practices used to control behaviour within families in order to protect perceived cultural and religious beliefs and/or honour. Violence can occur when perpetrators perceive that a relative has shamed the family and/or community by breaking their honour code.

Forced marriage can be a form of HBV, but HBV can include other types of abuse such as: 

• domestic violence (physical, sexual, emotional or financial abuse)
• sexual harassment and sexual violence (rape and sexual assault or threat of rape and sexual assault)
• threats to kill
• social ostracism or rejection and emotional pressure
• denial of access to children
• pressure to go or move abroad
• house arrest and excessive restrictions of freedom
• denial of access to the telephone, internet, or passport/key documentation
• denial of access to further or higher education without approval from family
• not being allowed to talk or interact freely with peers, or being allowed to enter a relationship 
• not being allowed to have sex before marriage or marry outside of a specified religion or cultural group
• isolation from friends and own family

A clear distinction must be made between a forced marriage and an arranged marriage. The tradition of arranged marriages has operated successfully within many communities and many countries for a very long time. In arranged marriages, the families of both spouses take a leading role in arranging the marriage but the choice of whether or not to accept the arrangement remains with the child/ young person.

If you or a friend, or family member are facing forced marriage or HBV there is help available: