Forced Marriage
Has the individual consented to the marriage? Consider the individuals capacity to consent.
Is the individual more and more withdrawn and isolated? Do they still see friends and family?
Indicators of physical and or emotional abuse.
The individual is frightened of their partner or family member.
The individual or their family come from a country or culture where forced marriage and the importance of honour are common.
The individual announces an engagement to someone unknown.
The individual is removed from schooling or prevented by family from pursuing higher education or extracurricular activities.
The individual may be absent from or late to school.
The individual appears controlled or monitored by family or community members. Including no access to mobile phone or internet.
The individual’s personality may drastically change e.g. depression, withdrawal, anxiety, suicidal, low self-esteem or appearance.
The individual goes missing, runs away from home or is reluctant to return home.
The individual is anxious about a family holiday.
The individual does not return to the country after a trip to their family’s country of origin.
Childhood/unwanted pregnancy.
The individual may begin self-harming or suicide attempts, particularly common early on in the marriage.
Signs of domestic abuse or criminality in the home.
The individual is controlled financially.