What Is Transnational Marriage Abandonment?

What Is Transnational Marriage Abandonment?

Transnational marriage abandonment happens when someone is taken abroad or left overseas so a partner or family can control them. In many cases the person loses access to their passport, money or support network. Freedom Charity explains what transnational marriage abandonment means and why it must be recognised as abuse.

Transnational marriage abandonment describes situations where someone is deliberately taken abroad or left overseas so that a spouse or family member can control them. Often, the person cannot return home because they lose access to their passport, travel documents or money.

In many cases, the victim travelled abroad believing they were visiting relatives or attending a family event. However, the situation changes once they arrive. Suddenly their passport disappears. Their phone may be taken away. Contact with friends or support networks stops.

As a result, the person becomes isolated in another country without independence or protection.

Why the issue matters

Safeguarding organisations use the term transnational marriage abandonment to describe this pattern of abuse. Although the behaviour crosses international borders, the underlying issue is control.

Guidance from the Crown Prosecution Service explains that victims linked to forced marriage or honour-based abuse may be taken abroad, abandoned overseas or prevented from returning to the UK. Prosecutors must therefore examine the wider pattern of coercion around the situation.

In other words, the travel itself is not the problem. The control and isolation are the real harm.

How transnational marriage abandonment happens

 The purpose remains the same: control.

For example, someone may be taken abroad and then abandoned there. In other cases, a person is pressured to remain overseas until certain demands are met.

Those demands may include:

Sometimes passports are hidden or removed. In other situations, the victim cannot access money or travel documents. Because of these restrictions, returning home becomes extremely difficult.

Why is this behaviour abuse

Some people assume these situations are private family disputes. In reality, transnational marriage abandonment is a form of abuse.

The behaviour removes a person’s independence and isolates them from support. Moreover, leaving someone stranded in another country creates serious risks.

Victims may have no access to:

Therefore, the person becomes extremely vulnerable.

In some cases, the behaviour may also form part of controlling or coercive behaviour under UK law.

Why victims may struggle to escape

Victims often face both practical and emotional barriers.

First, they may not have access to their passport or travel documents. Second, they may not know how to contact authorities or support services.

Fear also plays a major role. Some victims worry about family retaliation if they seek help. Others believe that authorities will not understand the situation.

As a result, many cases remain hidden.

Why awareness matters

Understanding transnational marriage abandonment helps professionals recognise warning signs earlier.

For example, sudden travel abroad followed by loss of contact can raise safeguarding concerns. Likewise, reports that passports or documents have been taken away should trigger further questions.

Early recognition allows intervention before the situation becomes more dangerous.

A message from Aneeta Prem

Aneeta Prem, founder of Freedom Charity, said:

“Transnational marriage abandonment is a serious form of control. No one should be taken abroad and left without their passport, support or freedom. Abuse does not become acceptable simply because it crosses borders. It is Dishonour abuse.

The key point

 Distance and isolation as tools of control. The behaviour can sit within forced marriage, domestic abuse or wider dishonour abuse.

Crossing borders does not make abuse less serious. In fact, it often makes victims more vulnerable.

Sources

Crown Prosecution Service guidance on honour-based abuse, forced marriage and harmful practices.

UK Government information on forced marriage and safeguarding.