Question
How can law, policy and services prevent forced marriage while protecting safety, autonomy and access to support?
What we know
Forced marriage can involve physical, emotional or psychological pressure. Official administrative figures describe recorded contacts and cases, not full prevalence.
What we do not know
Definitions, reporting routes, hidden harm and uneven data quality limit population conclusions and comparisons.
Why the gap matters
Weak inference can distort priorities, stigmatise communities or create confidence in a response that has not been shown to work.
Law / Policy
Separate current law from proposed reform. State jurisdiction, source date, evidential limits and the practical problem the policy is intended to solve.
Implementation
A legal power does not by itself demonstrate access, safety or effective practice. Study awareness, referral pathways, professional confidence, response quality and survivor experience.
Evidence of success
Specify observable outcomes, ownership, review dates and evidence that practice or safety improved, rather than relying on training-completion figures alone.
Show me the evidence
Identify the source class, strength, date and jurisdiction, then state what it can and cannot establish. Research design must address confidentiality, informed consent, safeguarding, interpreter independence, data security and identification risk.
Primary source: Official government guidance
Jurisdiction: Check the page text and linked source
Last reviewed: 15 August 2026