Forced marriage

Forced marriage - a woman's story

A woman who was forced to marry a man she barely knew to protect the honour of her family has spoken out about how she came through the experience to help others.

The woman, who has asked not to be identified, was forced to marry a man she had met for only half an hour when her father threatened to kill her if she refused.

After almost nine years in the loveless marriage, she made the brave decision to leave and re-build a life free from the control and emotional blackmail she had lived with from an early age.

Now happily married to a man she loves, the woman is providing help and support to men and woman of all ages experiencing forced marriage and honour based violence.

Video: Essex Police