Forced Marriage Warning Signs
Warning Signs that an Individual May be Facing a Forced Marriage
Family History
- Unreasonable restrictions by parents, such as being placed on “house arrest” or not being allowed to speak with others without supervision
- Family disputes or conflicts, or mentions of “honor” violence
- Siblings or other family members who had forced or early marriages.
- Self-harm or suicide attempts by siblings
- Death of a parent
- Unexpected or unfamiliar visitors or houseguests
Health Issues
- Mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, isolation, emotional withdrawal, self-harm, or attempted suicide
- Early, unwanted, or concealed pregnancy
- FGM/C or virginity tests, or other increased attention to gynecological health or fertility
- Accompanied by family members to all visits never left alone with provider
Law Enforcement Issues
- Family reports individual for substance abuse, theft, shoplifting, etc.
- Reports of violence, abuse, death threats in family home against individual or other family members
- Individual or siblings reported missing or runaway
Education/Employment Issues
- Planned or threat of unusual travel overseas, especially to “visit a sick family member” or “for someone else’s wedding”
- Fear of upcoming holidays or breaks, or lack of confidence that they will return to school or work afterwards
- Sudden withdrawal from school or work, especially if pressured by family
- Frequent, persistent, unexplained absences
- Surveillance by siblings or other family members
- Unusual decline in behavior, grades, punctuality, performance
- Withdrawal from school by parents/forced to quit job
