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For black and Asian women

Forced marriage

Forced marriage is defined as a marriage conducted without the valid consent of one or both parties, where duress is a factor. A small number of young people find themselves being forced into marriage by their families when they go abroad. No one has the right to force an individual to marry, and no major world faith condones it. You have the right to legal protection. If someone is forcing you into a marriage they may be in breach of the law in the UK and other countries.

If you need information and advice about forced marriage, contact  the Community Officer for Asian Females (West Yorkshire Police) on 0800 590314.

If you suspect that you may be forced to marry abroad, before you go you should contact the Forced Marriage Unit at the Foreign Office on 0207 008 0151 or e-mail: fmu@fco.gov.uk.

If possible, leave the following details with the Unit: you name as shown on the passport; your passport number, date, and place of issue; your date of birth and recent photograph; your parents' names; your contact details in the UK; your contact details in the country you are visiting; the date you are expected to return to the UK; and details of a trusted friend or relative in the UK. Ask the Unit for details of the British High Commission / Embassy in the country you are visiting.

If you do go abroad, make sure that you take with you: some money for telephone calls and transport, a mobile phone that works abroad, and the address and contact numbers of the British High Commission / Embassy in the country you are visiting. These are available from the Foreign Office on 0207 008 1500 or visit Forced marriage|.

When you are abroad, if you fear you are going to be forced into a marriage, contact the nearest British High Commission / Embassy, who can issue emergency passports, will try to help you get you back to the UK, and will try to provide you with safe accommodation and transport in the country you are in. When abroad, contact the Forced Marriage Unit at the Foreign Office on 00 44 20 7008 0151.

For information, advice, and support

• Kirklees Asian and Black Women's Welfare Association 01484 304338
• Oldham Family Crisis 0161 628 4991
• SODASA Project (Bradford) 01274 577571.

For temporary accommodation / refuges

• AASRA Asian Women's Refuge (Calderdale) 01484 400479
• Black Women's Support Project (Bradford) 01274 635205
• Saheli refuge for South Asian women and children (Manchester) 0161 945 4187.

For advice on immigration

• Gardner Solicitors 01484 825200
• Immigration Advisory Service 0113 244 2460
• Home Office Immigration and Nationality Enquiry Bureau 0870 606 7766
• The Immigration Law Practitioners' Association (an organisation of solicitors specialising in immigration law) 0207 251 8383.

For advice on Islamic divorce

• Sharee Council 01924 464523.

Other helplines

• National Domestic Violence Helpline (for details of specialist services or refuges in your area)
  0808 200 0247
• Muslim Women's Helpline 0208 904 8193
• Jewish Women's Aid Helpline 0800 591 203
• NSPCC Child Protection Asian Helpline 0800 096 7719.

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