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Brexit - Your Rights

We have produced informational videos to help you navigate your rights in relation to Brexit. You can find these on our YouTube channel in a variety of languages.

For a more in-depth look at these processes, you can view our flow chart-style Factsheet.

Factsheet: Forced Marriage

What is Forced Marriage?

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.

SWRC Statement on the Response to Scottish Government's Consultation on Proposed Abortion Services Safe Access Zones (Scotland) Bill

The Scottish Women’s Rights Centre offers legal and advocacy services to women survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), including sexual violence, physical abuse, coercive control and economic abuse.

We know that barriers to accessing healthcare facilities could have a detrimental and disproportionate impact on survivors of GBV placing them at an even greater disadvantage.

Defamation: What is it and what do I need to know?

As a survivor of gender-based violence, it is useful to know about defamation. Defamation can be a complex area of law, so this short blog gives some initial helpful information on the topic.

 

The Forensic Medical Services Act: What you need to know

In 2021, The Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) (Scotland) Act passed into law. This legislation means health boards can now provide Forensic Medical Examinations (FME) after a self-referral, without victims/survivors needing to report to police first.

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