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My family is forcing me to marry

A marriage decision requires free choice. Child marriage is prohibited; an adult facing threats, confinement, document seizure or violence can seek protection even though ‘forced marriage’ is not one single offence in every case.

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What this situation can include

  • Force can include assault or confinement, but also threats to harm a partner or parent, expulsion from home, loss of education, confiscation of identity papers, emotional blackmail, surveillance, forced travel or a ceremony arranged despite a clear refusal.
  • Under the Child Marriage Act, a female under 18 or a male under 21 is a child for this law. False age documents, rushed ceremonies and withdrawal from school may be warning signs.
  • Family disagreement or advice is different from coercion. The central questions are whether the person can say no safely, leave, keep documents, communicate privately and choose whether, when and whom to marry.

What this may mean

Child marriages are prohibited. Many are voidable at the option of the person who was a child, subject to the Act's time rules; certain child marriages are void in specified coercive or trafficking circumstances.

Adults have constitutional liberty and equality interests in personal choice. The practical legal response to forced marriage depends on the acts used—such as threat, assault, abduction or confinement—and any domestic relationship.

Police, a Child Marriage Prohibition Officer, Child Helpline, legal-services authority or court may have different roles. Do not wait for the ceremony if credible preparations and loss of access are already occurring.

If safety may be urgent

  • If departure or violence is imminent, call 112; if the person is under 18, also call 1098. Give the location, travel details, age and ceremony date if known.
  • From a safe device, send copies of identification, school records, tickets, invitations, threats and key contacts to a trusted person. Memorise at least one phone number.
  • Do not announce an escape or legal report to the family if that may accelerate travel, confinement or violence. Arrange a safe destination and transport first.

Possible next steps

  1. State the refusal where it can be preserved

    If safe, tell a trusted adult, teacher, employer, police officer or lawyer clearly that you do not consent to the marriage and fear coercion. A dated written message can help show the request for protection.

  2. Activate the child-marriage route

    For a child, contact 1098, police, the Child Marriage Prohibition Officer or district authorities. Ask about an injunction before the ceremony and immediate safe care.

  3. For an adult, describe the acts—not only the label

    Tell police or legal aid about threats, locked doors, confiscated documents, forced transport, assault, drugging or surveillance. This helps identify the available protection and offences.

  4. Protect education and identity

    Ask the school, college or employer not to disclose your schedule or address and to preserve attendance, age and emergency-contact records.

What may happen after seeking help or reporting

  • A Magistrate may issue an injunction to prohibit a child marriage. Police and the Child Marriage Prohibition Officer may intervene and investigate offences under the Act.
  • A child needing safe care may be referred into child-protection arrangements. For an adult, authorities may assess specific offences and immediate protection needs.
  • Later remedies concerning the status of a child marriage, maintenance, residence or custody are time-sensitive and fact-specific; legal aid can explain the correct application.

Important limits and cautions

  • Do not assume every child marriage is automatically void; the Act distinguishes voidable marriages and marriages void in specified circumstances.
  • Age thresholds and time limits matter. Preserve reliable age records and seek advice quickly.
  • A shelter or police intervention can have practical consequences for education, money and family contact. Ask for a plan that preserves autonomy and avoids unnecessary restriction.

Words a supporter can use

If someone says a marriage is being forced

“You have said no, and I take that seriously. Are your phone, documents or movement being controlled, and is travel or a ceremony planned? I will not call your family or mediate without your permission. We can copy your documents and contact protection, child-help or legal services from a safe device.”

What institutions must do

Notice withdrawal and preserve access

  • Respond confidentially to forced-marriage risk, preserve age and attendance records, follow child-protection duties and do not release the student's location to a threatening person.

Prevent harm before the ceremony

  • Record the person's refusal and specific threats, use child-marriage prevention powers where applicable and respond to confinement, abduction or violence without forcing family mediation.

Respect free choice

  • Do not use money, housing, honour, threats or violence to override a marriage decision, and do not facilitate a child marriage.

Related issue guides

Child marriage, forced marriage and honour-based controlDomestic violence and coercive controlSafety and equality in schools, colleges and hostels

Sources and publication record

Reviewed and approved by the project team · Sources checked . Reviewed and approved by the project team against the official sources listed on this page. This is general information, not advice for an individual case.

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