Individuals who are trafficked into marriages that take place without the consent of one or both people in the marriage. Consent means that a person has given his or her full, free and informed agreement to marry their intended spouse and to the timing of the marriage. Forced marriage may occur when family members or others use physical or emotional abuse, threats, or deception to force a person to marry without their consent. Arranged marriage is a common practice in many cultures and is not the same as forced marriage. In an arranged marriage, families may play a role in choosing the marriage partner, but both individuals are free to choose whether or not to marry and when to get married. A forced marriage occurs when families or others not only arrange the marriage but also deny the individuals to be married the ultimate choice of whether, when, and whom to marry. Individuals may also be forced marriage victims if they wish to exit the marriage and divorce but are not permitted to do so.
No programs.