Escape website quickly

LEARNING CENTRE

Transnational Marriage Abandonment

What is it?

Transnational Marriage Abandonment (TMA), also known as ‘bride abandonment’, is when a sponsor’s partner or their family member abandons or strands the partner abroad, usually without financial resources, with the aim of preventing them from returning to the UK.

Women represent the majority of those at risk of TMA.

Those at risk include spouses who:

  • Migrated to the UK and rely on their spouse for their immigration status.
  • Have insecure immigration status.
  • Face coercive and controlling behaviour from their spouse or extended family members, such as in-laws, and limited access to finances.

Dependent children also face risks as they can experience separation from one of the parents or abandonment.

TMA leaves someone at risk of poverty, violence, exploitation, destitution and social stigma. A parent may also be separated from their child/ren.

TMA often relies on the collusion of family members and spouses, involving multiple perpetrators. It overlaps with immigration abuse and can also involve other forms of domestic abuse, sexual violence, domestic servitude and dowry abuse.

TMA most often follows domestic abuse and coercive control, with perpetrators utilising their power over immigration status, financial resources and lack of awareness of rights and support systems in the UK.

Cultural and social pressures can also contribute to this form of abuse, with many spouses marrying someone to please their family and community.

TMA can also be motivated by financial gain, particularly linked to dowries or bride prices, or a desire to avoid sharing assets or paying child maintenance.

 TMA is a form of domestic abuse and from January 2024 victims can apply for a visa to return to the UK through a dedicated visa route. Only victims who have previously lived in the UK can apply for entry clearance or permission to stay in the UK.

TMA is also recognised in family courts and can be considered in child arrangements and contact orders.

Warning signs of TMA can be difficult to recognise due to the overlap with other forms of abuse or being attributed to a marriage breakdown.

Signs of risk might include threats to take the spouse abroad, having control of documents such as passports and visas, and threats of deportation. These risks can be exacerbated by a victim’s lack of financial resources and support network in the UK.

Additionally, perpetrators may isolate their spouse from family and friends and use surveillance and monitoring, and restrict the victim’s movements prior to planning the abandonment.

Victims at risk of TMA might therefore experience social exclusion, language barriers, destitution, homelessness and fears of deportation and separation from their children before they are abandoned.

An unexpected departure or loss of contact can indicate that someone has been abandoned abroad.

Using immigration by allowing a visa to expire or preventing access to documents to renew a visa can indicate that TMA has happened.

Isolation and emotional distress due to fears of deportation or abandonment, lack of financial resources or even destitution and homelessness might also indicate TMA.

What can we do?

If someone is at risk of TMA, it is essential to link them with a specialist support service such as Southall Black Sisters.

If someone has already been abandoned, they will need to be linked with a specialist support service in the UK, to help support them with contacting immigration solicitors and safety planning. They may also need help finding a local support service to help safety plan in the country where they have been abandoned or secure travel documents.

On their return the UK, victims will need support to resettle, from the moment they land at the airport. Again, specialist support services can help with planning, housing and emergency applications. Assistance with basic needs, particularly when there are children involved, will be essential.

Organisations specialising in domestic abuse and migration issues can support victims to understand their rights and options, including applying for visas or residency. Legal aid may also be available for immigration applications.

Specialist support services who can advise on TMA:

Southall Black Sisters – (can provide emergency support to women on return to the UK). You can call their helpline on 020 8571 9595 between 9am and 5pm Monday – Friday or email info@southallblacksisters.co.uk

Muslim Women’s Network – you can call their helpline on 0800 999 5786 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday, email info@mwnhelpline.co.uk, text 07415 206 936, or web chat via their website https://mwnhelpline.co.uk/

Karma Nirvana – you can call their helpline on 0800 5999 247 between 9am and 5pm Monday – Friday

Rights of Women (legal advice)- you can call the following helplines depending on your needs and an interpretation service is also available:

  • Family Law Advice (Tuesday-Thursday 7-9pm, Friday 12-2pm) 020 7251 6577
  • Criminal Law Advice (Tuesday 10am-12, Thursday 7-9pm) 020 7251 8887
  • Immigration and Asylum Law Advice (Monday and Thursday 10-12 and 2-4pm) 020 7490 7689