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16/06/2014
Forced Marriage Becomes Criminal Offence
Forcing someone to marry against their will is now a criminal offence.
New legislation introduced today by the government is designed to help people in England and Wales. It also applies to UK nationals overseas who are at risk of becoming the victim of a forced marriage.
Forced marriage can involve physical, psychological, emotional, financial and sexual abuse including being held unlawfully captive, assaulted and raped.
In 2013, the government's Forced Marriage Unit gave advice or support related to a possible forced marriage to more than 1300 people.
Maximum penalty of seven years
The maximum penalty for the new offence of forced marriage is seven years imprisonment.
Law enforcement agencies will also be able to pursue perpetrators in other countries where a UK national is involved under new powers defined in legislation.
Home Secretary Theresa May said: "Forced marriage is a tragedy for each and every victim, and its very nature means that many cases go unreported.
"I am proud to say that the UK is already a world-leader in the fight to stamp out this harmful practice with the government's Forced Marriage Unit working hard to tackle this terrible practice in the UK and overseas.
"Today's criminalisation is a further move by this government to ensure victims are protected by the law and that they have the confidence, safety and the freedom to choose.
"This summer, the Prime Minister will also be hosting the UK's first summit dedicated to galvanising action against forced marriage and related issues."
The new legislation also makes forcing a UK national into marriage outside the UK an offence under domestic law for the first time. The offence is triable in courts in England and Wales.
The new criminal offences will work alongside existing civil legislation (Forced Marriage Protection Orders - FMPOs) allowing victims to pursue a civil or criminal option.
(CVS/CD)
New legislation introduced today by the government is designed to help people in England and Wales. It also applies to UK nationals overseas who are at risk of becoming the victim of a forced marriage.
Forced marriage can involve physical, psychological, emotional, financial and sexual abuse including being held unlawfully captive, assaulted and raped.
In 2013, the government's Forced Marriage Unit gave advice or support related to a possible forced marriage to more than 1300 people.
Maximum penalty of seven years
The maximum penalty for the new offence of forced marriage is seven years imprisonment.
Law enforcement agencies will also be able to pursue perpetrators in other countries where a UK national is involved under new powers defined in legislation.
Home Secretary Theresa May said: "Forced marriage is a tragedy for each and every victim, and its very nature means that many cases go unreported.
"I am proud to say that the UK is already a world-leader in the fight to stamp out this harmful practice with the government's Forced Marriage Unit working hard to tackle this terrible practice in the UK and overseas.
"Today's criminalisation is a further move by this government to ensure victims are protected by the law and that they have the confidence, safety and the freedom to choose.
"This summer, the Prime Minister will also be hosting the UK's first summit dedicated to galvanising action against forced marriage and related issues."
The new legislation also makes forcing a UK national into marriage outside the UK an offence under domestic law for the first time. The offence is triable in courts in England and Wales.
The new criminal offences will work alongside existing civil legislation (Forced Marriage Protection Orders - FMPOs) allowing victims to pursue a civil or criminal option.
(CVS/CD)
Related UK National News Stories
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26 January 2005
Educational guidelines on forced marriage launched
A new set of educational guidelines will be issued for teachers to enable them to help pupils they suspect of being forced into marriage.
Educational guidelines on forced marriage launched
A new set of educational guidelines will be issued for teachers to enable them to help pupils they suspect of being forced into marriage.
30 March 2012
Consultation Finds Girl Of Five Forced Into Marriage
As a consultation looking into criminalising forced marriage in England, Wales and Northern Ireland reaches its end figures have shown a 5-year-old may be the UK’s youngest victim. The child is one of 400 in the last year to receive assistance from the government's Forced Marriage Unit.
Consultation Finds Girl Of Five Forced Into Marriage
As a consultation looking into criminalising forced marriage in England, Wales and Northern Ireland reaches its end figures have shown a 5-year-old may be the UK’s youngest victim. The child is one of 400 in the last year to receive assistance from the government's Forced Marriage Unit.
15 December 2008
Bangladesh Court Orders Parents To Release Daughter
An NHS doctor who was allegedly held captive by her family in Bangladesh is due to arrive home in the UK later. The parents of Dr Humayra Abedin, a 33-year-old trainee GP, were ordered to give her back her passport, after intervention by the courts and the British Foreign Office.
Bangladesh Court Orders Parents To Release Daughter
An NHS doctor who was allegedly held captive by her family in Bangladesh is due to arrive home in the UK later. The parents of Dr Humayra Abedin, a 33-year-old trainee GP, were ordered to give her back her passport, after intervention by the courts and the British Foreign Office.
27 October 2004
New proposals to tackle forced marriage unveiled
New laws and a specialist, cross-government taskforce to promote human rights and protect victims are being proposed to help prevent forced marriages, the Home Office and Foreign Office have announced today.
New proposals to tackle forced marriage unveiled
New laws and a specialist, cross-government taskforce to promote human rights and protect victims are being proposed to help prevent forced marriages, the Home Office and Foreign Office have announced today.
07 June 2012
Cameron To Announce Decision On Forced Marriage
Prime Minister David Cameron will make an announcement today on whether forcing someone to marry should be outlawed amid speculation that it is to become a criminal offence carrying a maximum five-year prison sentence.
Cameron To Announce Decision On Forced Marriage
Prime Minister David Cameron will make an announcement today on whether forcing someone to marry should be outlawed amid speculation that it is to become a criminal offence carrying a maximum five-year prison sentence.
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