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Forced marriage

If a person is forced to marry to benefit from it themselves or the other one, for example, to gain a residential permit or citizenship, it is human trafficking and is called forced marriage.

A woman in distress.

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What is a forced marriage?

Forced marriage is when a person has not agreed to marry but does so to gain benefits for themselves or the oppressor. This is human trafficking because someone benefits from what the person is exploited to do.

You could be in a forced marriage if:

  • You are threatened with violence or other means to marry someone you do not want to marry.
  • You are forced to marry someone who benefits by getting a residential permit or citizenship.
  • You did not know you were getting married.
  • You cannot talk about your marriage with others
  • You were promised a residential permit, citizenship, or money in exchange for getting married.
  • Somebody else benefits from you marrying without your will.

In Iceland, both women and men have the right to choose who they wish to marry, they decide for themselves who their future spouse will be. No one may be forced into marriage.

Are you in a forced marriage? Contact 112 and get help.

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More information

Know the methods of exploiters

The methods of exploiters are well known. If you recognize the symptoms and methods of human trafficking, you increase the possibility of dissolving it.

Read about human trafficking signs

Available support

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A view of the pond in Reykjavík.

Women's Shelter

The Women‘s Shelter offers counselling and a safe place to stay for woman who has experienced abuse in a close relationship.

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A view of Akureyri.

Women's Shelter in Akureyri

The Women's Shelter offers counselling and a safe place to stay for women who has experienced abuse in a close relationship.

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Police

The police in Iceland help people who have suffered abuse of any kind. Police see abuse in close relationships as a very serious matter.

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An interview room at Bjarkarhlíð

Bjarkarhlíð

Bjarkarhlíð is a center for people who have experienced abuse. There you get all the support and counseling you need in one place. All assistance is on your terms.

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An interview room at Bjarmahlíð.

Bjarmahlíð in Akureyri

Bjarmahlíð is a center for people who have experienced abuse. There you get all the support and counseling you need in one place. All assistance is on your terms.

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Myndin sýnir bjarta setustofu þar sem er blár sófi hægra megin upp við vegg. Sófinn er með tveimur gulum púðum fyrir framan lágt viðar sófaborð. Hinu megin við borðið eru tveir hvítir stólar, yfir annan þeirra hefur verið lagt samanbrotið teppi. Fyrir aftan stólana má sjá bókahillu með ýmsum munum í. Á veggnum gagnstætt hurðinni er hægra megin gluggi með bláum gluggatjöldum. Vinstra megin eru hvítir upphengdir eldhússkápar.

Suðurhlíð

Suðurhlíð is a center for victims of violence. The aim is to provide support, advice and education about the nature and consequences of violence.

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Sigurhæðir in Selfoss

Sigurhæðir is a service for victims of gender-based violence in South Iceland. There you receive counsel, support and therapy on your terms, free of charge..

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Honor based abuse

Honor-based abuse is when someone, usually a close relative, inflicts abuse on you to protect the honor of the family, for example forcing you to marry. When honor is set above your human rights, that is abuse.

Read about honor-based abuse
Manneska situr á hnjánum á gólfinu. Hún er leið á svip, með lokuð augun og höfuðið lítur niður til jarðar.

Sexual exploitation

Sexual exploitation is when a person benefits from selling access to another person's body.

Read about sexual exploitation

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