Some family trips may conceal coercion and permanent displacement.
BERLIN, GERMANY — July 2026. German authorities and women’s rights organizations are warning that some young people face being taken abroad and forced into marriage during the summer holidays. Girls and young women are most frequently affected, although boys can also become victims. In some cases, they do not return to Germany or resume their education after the break.
Warning signs may appear before departure, including anxiety about traveling, withdrawal, increased family control or indirect references to an unwanted marriage. Specialists urge teachers, friends and neighbors to contact professional counseling services quickly rather than confronting families without support. Premature intervention could increase the danger faced by the young person.
Terre des Femmes organized its fifth “White Week” in June in cooperation with German police. The initiative brought information about legal rights, forced-marriage risks and available assistance directly into schools. Young people considered at risk are advised to seek help before boarding a flight, when protective measures remain easier to activate.
Forced marriage has been a specific criminal offense in Germany since 2011 and is recognized as a serious human-rights violation. Reliable national figures remain unavailable because many cases are concealed by fear, shame, financial dependence or insecure residency status. A Berlin study identified 496 completed or threatened forced marriages in the city during 2022 alone.
Authorities emphasize that victims may face violence, death threats and complete separation from their support networks. Those who disappear during the holidays may be unable to request assistance independently, making rapid action by schools and trusted contacts essential.
For some young people, a summer journey can become a life imposed without consent.