Afraid of being forced to get married
Rädd för att bli tvingad att gifta sig - engelskaOnly you can decide whether or not you get married. No one is allowed to force, persuade or trick you into getting married. It is illegal. Ask for help if you are worried that this could happen to you. Call 112 if you need protection and help immediately.
Who can I ask for help?
Here are suggestions for how to get help:
Contact a support organisation that helps young people at risk of being married off, such as Linnamottagningen (offers support in several languages). There are several places you can contact without giving your name. You can find help here: support and help (link to a website in Swedish).
Talk to an adult you trust. For example, someone who works at your school or at a youth clinic (ungdomsmottagning).
Call the police on 112 if it is an emergency. For example, if you are being hit, beaten, locked up, threatened or forced to travel abroad.
Call the police on 114 14 if it is not urgent.
Call the police in Sweden on +46 77 114 14 00 if you are abroad or calling from a phone with a foreign number.
Call your municipality and ask to speak to social services. You will find telephone numbers for all municipalities here: Contact information for Sweden's municipalities and regions, SKR (link to a website in Swedish).
It is illegal to force someone to get married
This applies in Sweden:
- You must be over 18 years of age to get married.
- Both people must want to get married.
- Both people must be present at the wedding and say yes.
No one is allowed to persuade, trick or force someone to get married. It is a crime. Anyone who does this can go to prison. It does not matter if it is a parent or other relative.
Are you afraid of being married off in another country?
Contact the police or social services if you are worried about being married off during a trip abroad. They can help you so that you do not need to leave Sweden. They can also help you move out of home if necessary. You can get help to get a safe place to live if you are in danger at home.
Om du måste resa utomlands
Det är svårt för svenska myndigheter att hjälpa dig utomlands. Särskilt om du är i ett land utanför EU. Är du ändå tvungen att resa gör det här innan du åker.
Ta reda på viktiga uppgifter
Skriv ner viktiga telefonnummer. Det kan vara både till personer i Sverige och i landet du ska resa till. Skriv ner kontaktuppgifter till personer i landet du åker till som du tror skulle kunna hjälpa dig.
Ta med dig mobiltelefon.
Berätta för någon du litar på
Prata med en person du litar på innan du åker. Det kan till exempel vara en kompis eller någon vuxen i skolan. Du kan ge personen en kopia av ditt pass. Du kan också säga ett datum när du ska höra av dig. Om du inte hör av dig då kan personen ringa polisen.
Ta reda på vad som gäller i landet du åker till
Ta reda på vilka lagar som gäller för äktenskap i det land du ska åka till. Det är också bra att ta reda på vilken hjälp du kan få när du är där.
Help if you are outside Sweden
Contact the Swedish embassy in the country where you are. Here are some examples of what they can do:
Give you advice and support.
- Help you contact people or authorities such as social services in Sweden.
- Help you find a lawyer or doctor.
- Investigate what can be done so that you can return to Sweden.
- Here you will find contact details for all of Sweden's embassies and consulates in other countries (link to a website in Swedish).
You can also call the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Utrikesdepartementet, UD) in Sweden. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has a 24-hour helpline called UD-jouren. Telephone number: +46 (0)8 405 50 05.
You may need support and help afterwards
You may need support if you have been forced to get married or remain abroad.
You can get help:
- At a youth clinic or support service if you are not feeling good.
- From social services if you cannot keep living at home.
From the police if you are in danger.