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Honour Abuse

Forced Marriage

Forced MarriageA forced marriage is when one or both parties do not consent to the marriage, and people are forced into marriage against their will. There could be both physical and emotional abuse used to coerce you into the marriage.

Forced marriage is an abuse of human rights.

This is not the same as an arranged marriage, where you have a choice as to whether to accept the arrangement or not. The tradition of arranged marriages has operated successfully within many communities and countries for a very long time.

If someone you know is being forced into a marriage either in the UK or abroad you can contact either West Midlands Police on 101 , or the Forced Marriage Unit on 020 7008 0151 or by emailing fmu@fco.gov.uk .

If you wish to find out more about the Forced Marriage Unit visit:

Honour Based Violence

Honour Based Violence is an international term used by many cultures for justification of abuse and violence. It is a crime or incident committed in order to protect or defend the family or community ‘honour’.

Honour based violence will often go hand in hand with forced marriages, although this is not always the case.

Honour crimes and forced marriages are already covered by the law, and can involve a range of criminal offences.

Female Genital Mutilation

This is a collective term used for procedures, such as female circumcision, which include the partial or total removal of the external female genital organs, or injury to the female genital organs for a cultural or non-therapeutic reason.

Useful contact numbers

Victims of these crimes do not have to suffer in silence, and are urged to call one of the agencies listed below.

West Midlands Police

If you require any help, support or advice please ring West Midlands Police

If there is an immediate threat to life, or the immediate threat of being taken abroad, ring the emergency number, or the forced marriage unit.

  • Emergency number: 999
  • Switchboard: 101

Useful contact numbers

  • Forced Marriage Unit:
    (+44) 020 7008 0151
  • Karma Nirvana Honour Network:
    0800 5999 247
  • Asian Family counselling service:
    020 8571 3933
    020 8813 9714
  • Doli Project:
    0845 6581 057
  • Shelter for housing advice:
    0806 800 4444
  • Sandwell organisation for Domestic Abuse:
    0845 3597 525