A forced marriage is 'a marriage made without the consent of one or both parties, where pressure is a factor. There is a difference between a forced marriage and the tradition of arranged marriages.

Arranged marriages have taken place successfully within many countries and communities for a very long time.

In arranged marriages, the families of both people take a leading role in arranging the marriage but the choice of whether to accept the arrangement remains with the person.

In a forced marriage, one or both parties do not consent to the marriage and some form of pressure is involved.

Although it is not a criminal offence to force someone to marry, the following ARE against the law and punishable: verbal and physical abuse; abduction; murder; harassment; rape; and threatening behaviour.

You have the right to legal protection against abuse and forced marriage. You can legally separate or annul a forced marriage - currently you must make a petition to the court of law in the UK within 3 years of the marriage.

If one or more of the following applies to you, then you may be at risk of being forced into marriage:

• Are you being pressured into getting marriage against your wishes?
• Is anyone threatening you or physically/verbally abusing you?
• Are you being prevented from leaving the house/being kept isolated from your friends? Are you being prevented from going to school or work?
• Have your family planned an overseas trip for you?
• Are you feeling depressed, pressurised, guilty or ashamed? Are you having difficulty with eating and sleeping?

If you, or someone you care about, is going abroad and are concerned about being forced into marriage, there are precautions you can take. Make a file of the following information and leave with someone you trust:

• Name as stated on your passport
• Passport number, date and place of issue
• Address and telephone number
• Date of birth
• A recent photograph
• Departure and expected return dates
• Parents' names
• Contact of trusted friend in UK and country of visit
• Full details of who you are expecting to be staying with.

If your friend has not heard from you after the expected return date you can leave instructions for them to contact the police.

If you have concerns, contact the Forced Marriage Unit (details below) before you travel - they can give you advice and give you the details of the British High Commission/Embassy in the country you are visiting.

When you travel, ensure you have money for telephone calls etc and a mobile phone that works abroad. Keep them somewhere safe.

While abroad, you can contact the British High Commission or Embassy, who will be able to issue you with emergency passports and help you with safe accommodation and transport back to the UK. While abroad you can contact the Forced Marriage Unit at the Foreign Office on 00 44 20 7008 0151.

There are many ways you can get help and confidential advice:

• Telephone the Forced Marriage Unit (telephone 0207 008 0151, email fmu@fco.gov.uk who can retract your spouse's visa application.
• Speak to a solicitor who specialises in family law.
• If you are in immediate danger you should call the police (999).
• Telephone any of the contact details on the right to get up to date advice - in full confidence.
• Get a Forced Marriage Protection Order ("FMPO"). It can help you if you are being forced to marry or are already in a forced marriage. A FMPO can contain a wide range of restrictions and conditions on a person forcing someone into marriage. An application can be made at a number of country courts in England or Wales or at the High Court in London. It can be made by anyone needing protection from forced marriage.

If you are able to, without raising suspicion, there are many things you can do to help make planning your future life easier:

• Open a bank account in your name and keep the details safe
• Leave copies of all important documents (marriage papers, passport, birth certificate, bank accounts, benefit books, national insurance etc) with a trusted friend. Having proof of identity will be important.
• Gather a bag of your most treasured possessions and some clothes and keep with your trusted friend.
• Keep a list of help lines somewhere close to hand.
• Arrange safe, secret accommodation - if you can't, this can be provided for you.