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Factsheet: Forced Marriage
What is Forced Marriage?
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A forced marriage is a marriage in which one or both people do not freely agree (consent) to the marriage and where some form of pressure (coercion) is involved.
This pressure can take many forms and can be physical, emotional, psychological and financial. It can include deception, threats, blackmail or harassment.
There is often huge pressure to conform to the wishes of family and community. The pressure which forces a person into marriage does not have to be directed against that person and can include circumstances in which threats are made to the person or others if they do not agree to the marriage.
A forced marriage can also occur where an individual is not able to freely agree on their own behalf, for example, children or adults with a mental disorder.
A forced marriage is not the same as an arranged marriage. In an arranged marriage, both parties consent to the marriage.
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