Forced Marriage

Every situation is different.

If this is happening to you, or someone you know — it is not your fault and you are not alone. You can get help.

It is important to understand that who you marry, when you marry or if you marry, marriage is a choice. Forced marriage is a form of abuse and is against the law in Canada.

Local and international resources are available, including free and confidential support. Resources include health, housing, counselling, legal and financial help.

For immediate assistance contact the 24 hour support lines at the Victim’s Support Line: 1-888-579-2888 or 416-314-2447, if you are calling from within Toronto.

If you are worried about your immediate safety and well-being, contact your local police at 911.

Forced marriages can take place abroad. If you suspect that the reason for travel is for a forced marriage, try to avoid the trip. If this is not possible, there are supports available.

If you or the person in concern have not yet traveled overseas and are worried for your safety, get in touch with an agency or a service provider that can help you. You can contact the local police, a school guidance counselor, a social service agency, or a community legal clinic.

See Get Connected and Emergency Links.

If travel becomes unavoidable, provide a trusted person with:

• Address and telephone number of where you are going to stay
• Your passport details
• All your flight details (there and back)

You should also:

• Register with the government prior to traveling by filling out the ‘Registration for Canadians Abroad’ Form.  You can be assisted in the case of an emergency, including issuing passports, transportation and assisting with a safe return to Canada.  Click here for the registration form.
• Keep some emergency cash with you
• Carry the contact information of the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate.

If you are overseas and require assistance, you can contact a Canadian embassy or consulate abroad, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) [www.travel.gc.ca].

For a list of Canadian embassies click here.

While abroad you can email for help at sos@international.gc.ca or call the Emergency Operations Centre if in North America at 1-800-267-6788 or call collect from anywhere in the world at 1-613-996-8885.

Government of Canada Emergency Operations Centre

Contact: 1-800-267-6788 (North America) or 613-996-8885
It is important to note that a person’s immigration status will impact the type of options available to them if they are forced to marry while abroad. Canadian embassies abroad offer assistance primarily to Canadian citizens.

Permanent residents and temporary residents may need to explore additional options, including independent and advocacy and that may provide assistance to victims of forced marriages. The services of these organizations are available to citizens and non-citizens, and may include the provision of shelter, referral services and advocacy on behalf of the victim.

The following can be signs to look out for if you are concerned about someone you know:

• The person begins to miss appointments, school, work or social events
• The person may seem more anxious, depressed or scared
• The person no longer meets with you alone
• The person has injuries that he/she cannot explain
• The person’s eating habits change
• The person expresses that he/she wants to hurt themselves

Forced marriages occur either within Canada or abroad. An individual may need support with safety planning, education about rights and responsibilities and looking into assistance available.

It is important to connect to confidential and responsible assistance.

Visit Get Connected and Emergency Links for community partners that are able to provide support.

• Find a safe environment. Talk to someone you trust and think of individuals who may be able to provide you with help. Seek the assistance of community service providers for legal questions, housing, counseling, health services and additional supports. Be discrete when contacting others for help, if personal safety may be an issue.

• Learn your rights. Forced marriages are illegal. Gain an understanding of the law through contacting a community legal clinic.

• If an individual is under the age of 16 community service providers must report abuse to Children’s Aid Society.

• If you are contacted by a person under threat, attempt to collect as much information as possible, including age, nationality, birth date/place of birth, passport details, school details, employment, name and address of parents/caregivers and names of family/friends that can be trusted.

• Try to establish a safe ways to communicate with others (telephone, email, texting, through a friend/family member etc.).

Forced marriages are illegal. Individuals should seek professional and confidential help in understanding their legal rights and responsibilities.

Criminal offenses for forced marriages can include sexual assault, threatening behaviour/threats to kills, kidnap, abduction, assault, imprisonment and murder.

Community Legal Support Services

Community Legal Clinics in Ontario

Contact: Legal Aid Ontario 1-800-668-8258 (legal aid assistance and referrals in over 120 languages)
Website: www.cleo.on.ca/english/links.htm#1

Free Legal Assistance Services for Low-Income Ontarians

South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario

Contact: (416) 487-6371
Website: www.salc.on.ca

Family Law Education for Women

Contact: (416) 961-8101
Website: www.onefamilylaw.ca

Justice for Youth and Children

Location: 415 Yonge Street, Suite 1203, Toronto
Contact: (416) 920-1633
Website: www.jfcy.org

Ontario Women’s Justice Network

Website: www.owjn.org

This online legal resource provides information on issues related to justice and violence against women and children.