Forced Marriage
You have the right to choose who you marry, when you marry or if you marry at all. Forced marriage is when you face physical pressure to marry (for example,
threats, physical violence or sexual violence) or emotional and psychological pressure (for example if you're made to feel like you are bringing dishonour on your family).
What we do
- We take all concerns relating to forced marriage extremely seriously and involve the police and other agencies where necessary.
The government runs a special unit called the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU), made up of caseworkers with experience in forced marriage who can offer you advice and support and discuss your options
- We have a Safeguarding and Welfare Team who you can contact if you are being made to marry someone that you have not chosen to marry
- We will be sensitive to these concerns as we understand that the situations around forced marriage can be difficult and complex
- We take action if you are being coerced in to marriage that is not of your choosing
- We review our learners' welfare regularly via telephone reviews and/or learner welfare visits (for 16-19 year old learners)
- We provide advice and information on the Stay Safe section of our website including details of national organisations that can help
What you will do
- I will talk to someone if I feel that I am being forced in to a marriage
- I will talk to someone if I think someone else is being forced to marry someone
- I know that I can report my concerns to the Safeguarding and Welfare Team at Buttercups
If you are worried or have any concerns, please contact the Buttercups Safeguarding and Welfare Team.
OFFICE HOURS: 0115 937 4936
OUT OF HOURS: 07483 038898
EMAIL: safeguarding@buttercups.co.uk
OTHER USEFUL RESOURCES
Childline
HALO
Provides support for victims and advice for agencies. Halo work with our partner organisations, public bodies and
other services to enable the best possible protection and safety from harm for victims of any age or gender. Our
first priority is to keep you safe from perpetrators of honour based violence, forced marriage and FGM.
We also have experience in helping people who are victims of trafficking, sham marriages and domestic violence.
PHARMACIST SUPPORT
Pharmacist Support is an independent charity set up to provide help and support to pharmacy students, pre-registration (pharmacist) trainees, pharmacists, retired pharmacists and their families in times of need.
