Forced Marriage - A Survivor’s Story
“My wedding day should have been the happiest day of my life but all I could do was cry. I didn’t want to go through with it but felt I had no choice, my family would disown me. I just felt no-one cared about what I thought or what I felt. Why should I be forced to live with someone I didn’t even like, let alone love? I left my whole life in the UK behind. What was the point of even living anymore?
After I tried to take my own life the first thing I thought about was the shame I had brought on my family. The same family who had driven me to this. I knew then that I had to stand on my own two feet. I still love my family but it was time to put myself first. I decided to speak to the Forced Marriage Unit. It was such a relief to be able to talk to someone who was on my side without any judgement and without the fear they would tell my family. For the first time, I realised I had the right to choose. With their help, my confidence grew.
Sometimes I get upset about what happened to me but now I know I made the right decision to leave and live my own life. I wake up each day looking forward to it and I get excited about the future and meeting someone I want to be with.”