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08/05/2007
Support launched for forced marriage victims
The government has launched a support network and handbook in order to help survivors of forced marriage start a new life.
The handbook offers practical help and information to help survivors take control of their lives, while a survivors' network is also being launched in partnership with Karma Nirvana, a forced marriage NGO, which will provide long-term emotional support.
The network has received £30,000 of funding from the government's Forced Marriage Unit.
The unit deals with around 5,000 inquiries and helps rescue up to 300 women, children and men who are trapped in abusive, forced marriages every year.
Home Office Minister Baroness Scotland said: "Forced marriage is terrible for those women, children and men who find themselves in an often violent and abusive situation against their will.
"It's something that should not be happening in the modern world - it's not a respected cultural or religious tradition. Neither does it have anything to do with honour - there can be no honour in a marriage based on force and hostility.
"The government is determined to help the victims of forced marriage and the handbook and network announced today they are important steps in making sure survivors get the help they need and deserve to lead a new life."
Foreign Office Minister Lord Triesman said: "Today we are launching our two-year strategy to combat forced marriage. We have developed this strategy to ensure that we continue to raise awareness of the issue, and to highlight the help that is available.
"The strategy will help us strengthen the partnership we have with those organisations who are involved in helping the victims of forced marriage."
(KMcA/SP)
The handbook offers practical help and information to help survivors take control of their lives, while a survivors' network is also being launched in partnership with Karma Nirvana, a forced marriage NGO, which will provide long-term emotional support.
The network has received £30,000 of funding from the government's Forced Marriage Unit.
The unit deals with around 5,000 inquiries and helps rescue up to 300 women, children and men who are trapped in abusive, forced marriages every year.
Home Office Minister Baroness Scotland said: "Forced marriage is terrible for those women, children and men who find themselves in an often violent and abusive situation against their will.
"It's something that should not be happening in the modern world - it's not a respected cultural or religious tradition. Neither does it have anything to do with honour - there can be no honour in a marriage based on force and hostility.
"The government is determined to help the victims of forced marriage and the handbook and network announced today they are important steps in making sure survivors get the help they need and deserve to lead a new life."
Foreign Office Minister Lord Triesman said: "Today we are launching our two-year strategy to combat forced marriage. We have developed this strategy to ensure that we continue to raise awareness of the issue, and to highlight the help that is available.
"The strategy will help us strengthen the partnership we have with those organisations who are involved in helping the victims of forced marriage."
(KMcA/SP)
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25 November 2008
New Laws To Protect Victims Of Forced Marriages Introduced
New laws that would protect victims of forced marriage and prevent others from the same fate, have been brought into statute today. The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 will enable courts to prevent forced marriages and order those responsible for forcing another into marriage to change their behaviour or face jail.
New Laws To Protect Victims Of Forced Marriages Introduced
New laws that would protect victims of forced marriage and prevent others from the same fate, have been brought into statute today. The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 will enable courts to prevent forced marriages and order those responsible for forcing another into marriage to change their behaviour or face jail.
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.
16 June 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 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.
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.
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