Thirty-three minors were identified in cases of forced marriage in Catalonia in the five years to 2025, according to figures supplied by the Department of Equality and Feminism in a parliamentary response. At least four marriages went ahead, and every recorded ceremony took place outside Catalan territory.

The cases chiefly involved girls and young women. Young people who fear being taken abroad for a marriage can seek support through the Mossos d’Esquadra, Catalonia’s regional police, municipal social services, or education and health professionals, which work together on early detection and protection.

“Forced marriages constitute a serious violation of human rights and an extreme expression of male violence, which attacks the fundamental right to freely consent to marriage.”

Cases recorded from 2021 to 2025

The annual figures cover minors attended by the Mossos in potential or confirmed forced-marriage cases:

  • 2021: six minors, with no marriage recorded as having taken place.
  • 2022: nine minors, including two marriages that took place. The outcome was unknown in a third case involving a minor living in Vallès Oriental who travelled to her country of origin and did not return.
  • 2023: seven minors, with no marriage recorded as having taken place.
  • 2024: five minors, including one marriage that took place.
  • 2025: six minors, including one minor who was forced to marry.

Barcelonès recorded the highest number of cases, with 11. Vallès Oriental had six, while Tarragonès, Gironès and Segarra each recorded two.

Police and child-protection intervention

The Mossos have monitored forced marriage cases since 2009. Over the past 16 years, they have detected about 240 cases involving women and girls who were at risk of being forced to marry or had been married against their will.

The Department of Equality and Feminism said forced marriage can affect both minors and young adult women. Most victims are women, although three cases involving men forced to marry were detected between 2014 and 2024.

Police, the Generalitat and municipal social services assess the person’s risk and protection needs, particularly where family members are believed to be seeking to impose a marriage. Specialists in mediation may also work with both sides.

Where a minor is in danger, the Direcció General de Prevenció i Protecció de la Infància i l’Adolescència, the Generalitat’s child and adolescent protection directorate, can intervene to prevent them being taken to their country of origin for a forced marriage. Spain’s Criminal Code punishes both a forced marriage that takes place and an attempted forced marriage.

Reported by emporda.info, L'Empordà.