In the lead up to International Women’s Day, on 8 March, we’re looking at some of the issues that impact women in refugee communities.
Refugee women are particularly vulnerable; often they leave behind social and family support in their home country.
Not just an overseas issue
These women who come to the UK seeking safety may be fleeing forced marriage and other forms of domestic violence. But don’t assume forced marriage is only happens overseas because it is also happening in Scotland.
What is forced marriage?
Forced marriage is a marriage without true consent from the bride, groom or both.
Often a person is under great emotional pressure by their family or people in their community to comply with the marriage. Sometimes duress can occur in more extreme forms that can include:
- physical or emotional assault;
- threats;
- financial or sexual pressure;
- holding someone unlawfully captive; or
- withholding a person’s passport.
There is a clear difference between forced marriage and arranged marriage, where the family of the couple take a leading role in arranging the marriage and the couple consent to the wedding.
An abuse of Human Rights – and illegal in Scotland
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares that marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
- Forced marriage is against the law in Scotland and so is taking advantage of a person’s lack of understanding to get them to take part in a marriage.
- This also includes taking someone away from Scotland, against their will, to be married in another country.
- Forced marriage cannot be justified on any religious or cultural basis.
Get help
New legislation, the Forced Marriage (protection and jurisdiction) (Scotland) Act 2011, allows Forced Marriage Protection Orders to be issued. These orders safeguard the person at risk’s rights and make it a criminal offence for anybody to breach the Order for their protection. Support agencies and local authorities can help people apply for a Protection Order, so they don’t have to go through the court proceedings themselves.
Are you or someone you know in danger?
If you fear you or someone you know is at risk of forced marriage or you have been a victim of forced marriage, it is important that you get help. Contact one of the following organisations for help and advice:
Karma Nirvana – UK wide
Hemat Gryffe Women’s Aid – based in Glasgow
Shakti Women’s Aid – based in Edinburgh
