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<p>The UK is a world-leader in the fight to stamp out the brutal practice of forced
marriage, with our joint Home Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office Forced Marriage
Unit (FMU) leading efforts to combat it both at home and abroad. We made forced marriage
a criminal offence in 2014 to better protect victims, sending a clear message that
this abhorrent practice is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the UK.
In 2017 we also introduced lifelong anonymity for victims of forced marriage to encourage
more victims of this hidden crime to come forward.</p><p>An “arranged marriage” is
one where parents or other relatives choose a potential suitor, but both parties involved
have the final say and can withdraw at any point. As such, it is not illegal. If a
person changes their mind during that process and then is not allowed to stop the
marriage – this becomes a forced marriage and is unacceptable.</p><p>The FMU operates
a public helpline to provide advice and support to victims, those at risk, and professionals.
The support offered ranges from providing information and guidance to organising rescue
and repatriation to the UK for victims overseas. In November 2018 we also launched
the Forced Marriage Awareness Campaign, which highlights that forced marriage is a
crime and directs victims to contact the helpline for support</p><p>Border Force officers
at UK ports and airports are trained to look for those at risk of Honour Based Abuse
(HBA), including forced marriage. Border Force conducts regular joint operations (‘Operation
Limelight’) with the police at airports across the country to raise awareness with
potential victims of HBA</p>
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