Forced and early marriage (FEM), contracted without the free and valid consent of one or both partners or before the age of 18, is internationally acknowledged as a violation of human rights and as a form of gender-based violence. The purpose of the EU FEM Roadmap is to provide frontline professionals with a guidance document to assist in the protection and support of (potential) victims of FEM.

Created by frontline professionals specialized in providing support to victims of FEM, the EU FEM Roadmap is intended to serve as a guidance document that complements existing national guidelines and standard operating procedures at the organizational level. The Roadmap includes a seven-step referral pathway for all frontline professionals, and then provides specific guidance for school/educational providers, child protection services, health professionals, criminal justice (police and justice) professionals and magistrates of civil marriage services.