Family Violence Initiative

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Child Abuse is Wrong: What Can I Do?

Forced marriage

Forced marriage happens when one or both people do not consent to the marriage. Forced marriage is not the same as arranged marriage. In arranged marriages, both people consent to the marriage. In forced marriage, one or both people do not consent to the marriage. Family members sometimes use physical violence, abduction, forced confinement or emotional abuse to force the person into the marriage.

Children might be the victims of forced marriages. Sometimes their families take them out of school to force them into marriages.

Even if parents try to force their child to marry because they think it is good for the child, using threats or violence to do this is a crime.

If you know a child who may be forced to marry, contact the police. You can also call the police if you suspect that the child is being taken out of the country to marry against their will.

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