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Updated 11 November 2004, 17.11 
Last year the UK government rescued around 200 young people from forced marriage but many people are too scared to ask for help.
What do you think can be done to stop forced marriages taking place?
Do you know anyone who's been forced to marry someone they don't want to?
E-mail and let us know.
Unfortunately this topic is now closed but there are Comments pages on other subjects on the main Chat index.
 I guess I should say how terrible it is, but... I cannot say that people forced into the marriage are THAT innocent. If they are forced, there is a reason. And if they know it is wrong (even if they are afraid) they should do something non-violent about it.  Gabriele, 15, Chicago
The people next door had a forced marriage. They seem happy now though. So maybe it isn't always such a bad thing. Jay, 12, Scunthorpe
I think it's terrible that people are forced to get married. What happened to the word love? How can you love someone you're forced to get married to? I hope it gets banned. Paul, 14, Beragh Co.Tyrone
I don't think it is fair that girls should have to get married. They should be able to decide for themselves. Katie, 15, Wolverhampton
It's just silly really. If you don't want to get married then I don't think you should be forced to. Even if it is part of their religion, people should remember that this is the 21st century. Everyone has rights. There should be a right to getting married to who you want to, not who your parents want you to! Fraser, 11, Torrance
I think you should be able to make your own decision on whether you want to get married or not because it is not up to parents to do it. Also people are too young to get married in their teens and younger. Ryan, 12, Wigan
Being forced into a marriage is wrong. How would the parents who force their kids to get married feel if they didn't intend to get married and was just told to. Parents who do this should feel guilty about what they're doing!! Niandi, 11, London
People shouldn't be forced to marry someone they don't know. Even if it is their religion. Tony Blair should try and help people who do get forced to marry someone. Eleanor, 13, Birmingham
I think that forced marriage is a horrible thing and should be banned. Natasha, 12, Blackpool
Forced marriages are absolutely pathetic! Marriage is a serious thing and you should marry the right person! Forced marriages are nearly always with people they don't love!! Danny, 14, Rotherham
I think you should be able to make your own decision on whether you want to get married or not because it is not up to parents to do it. Also people are too young to get married in their teens and younger. Ryan, 12, Wigan
How could parents do that to their children? I think it's cruel and the children should at least have a choice. Cat, 12, Crewe
I think that forced marriages should not be allowed at all, it's unfair to the person being forced and can possibly make them depressed and unhappy. Georgina, 15, Leicester
I think forced marriages are terrible. Being forced to get married must be a horrible experience. Especially when you're 9-16 years old. Olivia, 9, London
I think that forced marriage is horrible to the children or older girls because they are being forced to marry someone that they don't know and don't love. Laura, 12, Louth
It's wrong that people shouldn't be able to have the choice about who they marry - I feel sorry for people that don't have a choice. Rachel, 13, Banbury
I think it is wrong, but it is a tradition, and it is going to be hard to stop. Ella, 9, Barnsley
It's not fair. If you are going to live with someone for the rest of your life you should be able to choose who that person is. Mark, 12, Ballynahinch N.I
That is really horrid! What if you don't like the person you are marrying? What if they hit you or are violent? I would hate for that to happen to me! Lou, 11, Milton Keynes
It is completely, unacceptably, horribly cruel! They don't even know who it is! It could be someone who will ruin your life! No, I think it is stupid! Actually, it's more than 'I don't think' it's more like 'I know!' Rose, 10, Liverpool
I feel sorry for people who are forced into it. I don't see why they don't just try to brake up with their partner. Jamie, 13, Surrey
I think forced marriage is wrong. You can't just force someone to marry someone else. It should be their decision, not their parents. You should be in a loving relationship with someone before you get married, because if not then someone could get hurt. Rebecca, 13, Alness
I think it's really unfair, even if it is your religion. Not only must it be annoying for the girl, but the boy too! Brynni
, 11, Luxembourg
Forced marriages should be banned because marriage should be about people loving and cherishing each other not about strangers being told to produce a family and look after each other. Jade, 15, East Sussex
I think forced marriage is WRONG!!! I dream about my wedding and it would be HORRIBLE if it was with someone I had to marry and don't love! It is the most important day of your life! Katie, 13, USA
Oh my god, this is just wrong. People should be allowed to marry who they want, when they want. I can't believe such a horrible thing is happening. Marsha, 14, USA
I think it's horrible getting married at a very young age. Wahida , 11, London
Every person has the right to choose who they want to marry. You can't help who you fall in love with and you can't decide to love someone because you have been forced to marry them. I think its disgraceful!!!
Harriet, 13, Suffolk
Having your parents decide who you have to spend the rest of your life with is wrong. It's a personal choice, no one else's! James, 10, Gateshead
It's so appalling to know that parents can do that to their children. I think the government should really investigate into forced marriages and work hard to put a stop to it. Faye, 14, Canada
I really don't like forced marriages. It is wrong because you need to wait to find the perfect person for you. You are the only person that can decide that. Katie, 13, USA
I think it is horrible to force someone to marry someone they don't know! It is wrong and immoral and is also very very unfair! Billie, 12, Newcastle
I think it's horrible that some parents organise marriages for their children when they're only babies. It's also horrible that some children in other parts of the world get married at the age of nine. Getting married is a big thing in life and you should be able to decide who you want marry, if you want to get married at all. Rachel, 11, Edinburgh
WRONG WRONG WRONG. I think the government should put a stop to this. I know I won't be forced into it but I can imagine a girls feelings if they are, and I feel so sorry for them. Ellie, 11, Worcester
I think that it's not fair, people can make their own decisions, it's there own life and I'm sure they don't want anyone interfering in it. Forcing marriages should stop or families might just get split up. Nikki, 11, Seaford
You shouldn't have to get married to someone you don't want to. Marriage is about being happy together, not having every day a nightmare. Government NEEDS to do something. Becky, 10, Oswestry
The sad thing about the whole thing, is parents believe they're protecting their children....its a very old tradition which needs to die. leighann, 14, Solihull
I think it's a shame for those involved. I'm sure for some it works out fine but in many cases it must be awful. I mean, you only live once, it's such a waste. Sophie, 13, Edinburgh
Forced marriages in a way can be cruel as the girl might end up marrying someone they dislike! There should be a stop to this now! Linzi, 14, Monifieth
That's really wrong. I mean if you're in that situation, you really need to go and ask for help, no one needs to be forced to marry someone that they don't love. Kait, 14, Texas
I think you should choose who you want to marry, but I also think your parents should be involved. They're the ones who took care of you and you can't just take them out of your life because you think you've found a suitable husband/wife. Sara, 13, London
I think it's really wrong, I mean most parents do this for honour but I think they just end up losing it cause their children's marriages turn out really bad if they're forced and they just end up ruining their lives. I can understand arranged marriages because with them if you say no then there's no more to it, so it's like your own choice in a way. Ayesha, 13, London
Marriage is for love, not convenience. Girls should be allowed to choose their own husbands. What do parents know about who their children love? Louise, 14, Surrey
I think forced marriages are WRONG. They prevent girls AND boys from living the life they want to live, with someone they love and know well. I think something should be done about it. Chloe, 11, Leeds
I think that forced marriages are terrible. Neither of the children want it to happen. Like Rupali, some children are so scared they have to run away, and it ruins their life. Forced marriages are something that isn't generally thought of as happening in the UK, but it does. Something needs to be done for these children. Rosa, 12, Norwich
I think forced marriages are absolutely pointless. What happened to parents wanting the best for you? Shouldn't you be able to choose your own husband or wife? Gilly, 12, Harrow
I think forced marriages are disgraceful and they should be stopped. You can't marry someone you haven't met before. Marriage is really important so it should be thought about carefully with the person getting married Fahima, 12, Rochdale
Don't we have our own personality, minds, thoughts, love options!? Why should someone take care of all those things and control your only hope for a chance of happiness? Hannah, 12, Hailsham
Who is everyone kidding, this is a disgrace, you can't force someone to get married. It's out of order, they should marry who they want, who they love. Emma, 15, London
Which parent actually wants their child to suffer? Who cares about traditions? They should think about their child first. Junaid, 12, Manchester
I think this is a disgrace because some people don't even know who they are getting married to Rebecca, 12, Newham
It's a horrible thing for a girl to have to face, and unfair if she doesn't want to get married. For some, it's part of their culture but that doesn't make it right or fair. Natalie, 15, UK
I know someone who's sister is having an arranged marriage. This is not like forced marriage because they get to choose the person they want to get married to. Many girls in my school have no problems with arrange marriage, simply because they know it's their religion. Annabell, 15, Reading
I think it's wrong to have forced marriages! People should run there own lives and decide on who they want to marry by them selves! Hannah, 11, Fulham
The simple answer would be to abolish marriage. I don't agree with marriage it all, I think it is an outdated tradition, which brands women as the property of their husbands. It is not necessary in modern society. Many people will argue that it's meaningful, but I think the divorce rate speaks for itself on that one. Astrid, 14, London
I don't think it's fair. It's just sad to know that there's no real love in a marriage. We only live once, we shouldn't have to be squashed by authority
Danielle, 14, Atherstone
I think it is a disgrace when I hear about those kind of marriages, I'm ashamed. I think that they should have a choice of who they want to marry not the parents. Sajidah, 13, London
It is not right, it is out of order - if the person doesn't love them then they shouldn't have to marry them. Marcus, 13, Harlow
It's just sick and stupid! Safiya, 12, Dewsbury
I think it is horrible to force someone to marry someone they don't know! It is wrong and immoral and is also v. v. v. unfair! Billie, 12, Newcastle
WRONG WRONG WRONG. I think the government should put a stop to this, it's evil. I know I won't be forced into it but I can imagine girls feelings if they are. I feel so sorry for them. Ellie, 11, Worcester
Your wedding day is one of the most important events in your life and therefore I think you should be able to enjoy it the way you want. I think forced marriage is wrong, you should be able to get married to someone of your own choice. Nafisa, 13, London
Forced marriages should be stopped. Marriage is supposed to be a time in your life to look forward to and the joining of your life with someone you love with all your heart! Forced marriage should be stopped as it prevents this from happening in people's lives. Emily, 14, Dudley
I have heard lots of stories about forced marriages and I feel deeply sorry for the girls put through it. My parents had an arranged marriage so they were able to meet a year beforehand which helped them to get to know each other better. I think that forced marriages should be illegal because everyone has freewill and the power to do what they want. Vaidehi, 13, Walsall
I just read the Press Pack and was devastated about how some families lie and make people guilty about getting married. Nowrin, 10, Nottingham
I think Tony Blair should do more to protect children in the UK. Georgie, 12, Swindon
I think it is a very bad thing to do. I mean, how would the parents feel. More centres should be set up in the UK, like that one in Africa. Hannah, 11, Bristol
I think that parents should let their children marry who they want to. It's not fair that they have to get married at such a young age to some one that is much older. Gillian, 13, Reading
I think it is horrible the way women and also men (it's not just women!) are forced into marriages. I think there needs to be some kind of law to stop this happening but I think it's a touchy subject because some forced marriages can work out. Maisy, 14, Southampton
I think its really sad for the girl AND boy. People always forget that the boy is also having a forced marriage and doesn't like it, in the same way as the girl doesn't like it! Ayaan, 14, Birmingham
I think it's really unfair, kids should be able to make their own decisions. Melie, 10, Salisbury
Prime Minister Tony Blair needs to do more to protect girls from forced marriages. I feel really sorry for those affected, it must be really scary. Dan, 11, Newcastle
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My family forced me to get married
