Forced marriage
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain forced marriage, the law relating to it, and where someone could access support if they are concerned.
Key learning points
- A legal marriage in the UK is where both partners are over 18 and fully consent with no threats or coercion.
- A forced marriage is where one or both people cannot or do not consent to the marriage.
- In a forced marriage, pressure, threats or abuse are used to make someone marry.
- Forced marriage is illegal in the UK and punishable by up to seven years in prison.
- Concerns about forced marriage can be raised with a trusted adult, teacher or the police.
Keywords
Forced marriage - when someone is made to marry without their consent – including anyone under 18, anyone pressured or threatened, or anyone who cannot make that decision
Coercion - forcing someone to do something against their will through threats, pressure or intimidation
Common misconception
Forced marriages are the same as arranged marriages.
Arranged marriages involve family support in choosing a partner, but both people freely consent. Forced marriage removes consent and involves pressure, threats or abuse.
Teacher tip
Before delivering this lesson, consult with your RSHE lead or Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). They can provide guidance on handling sensitive questions, and may help you connect with local safeguarding teams or specialist organisations, such as the Forced Marriage Unit.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sexual violence
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Depiction or discussion of sexual violence
Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What term refers to a medically invalid and harmful procedure that attempts to determine whether a girl or woman has had sexual intercourse?
Q2.If someone is being pressured to do something they don't want to do, what should they remember?
Q3.Match each situation with the best response.
listen without judgement and encourage them to seek help
report it to a trusted adult even if it feels difficult
explain you can't keep secrets that put people at risk
Q4.A hymenoplasty is a surgical procedure to 'repair' or 'restore' the .
Q5.Which of the following shows consent?
Q6.Who can you talk to at school if you're worried about virginity testing and hymenoplasty?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the term to the definition.
where one or both people do not, or cannot, consent to the marriage
a UK team that helps stop and prevent forced marriage
using pressure, threats or force to make someone comply
Q2.What is the minimum legal age for marriage in the UK?
Q3.What is the maximum prison sentence for arranging a forced marriage in the UK?
Q4.Concerns about forced marriage can be raised with a trusted , a teacher, a DSL or the police.
Q5.Amira’s parents have arranged for her to marry a family friend’s son. She tells them she does not want to marry him, but they say she has no choice. What type of marriage might this be?
Q6.Liam’s uncle tells him he must marry someone he has never met. Liam says no, but his uncle threatens to harm his family members if he refuses. What is being used to make Liam marry?
To help you plan your 8 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Forced marriage, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Forced marriage, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 RSHE (PSHE) lessons from the Staying safe and healthy: Forced marriage, FGM, hymenoplasty & virginity testing unit, dive into the full secondary RSHE (PSHE) curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.