Law on forced marriage comes into effect
New legislation banning forced marriage in England and Wales has come into effect this week.
New legislation banning forced marriage in England and Wales has come into effect this week.
An amendment to the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 criminalises forcing someone to marry against their will. It also criminalises deception with the intention of causing a person to leave the UK with the purpose of forcing that person to marry, as well as the breach of a Forced Marriage Protection Order (FMPO).
A breach of a FMPO now carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment or an unlimited fine.
Arranged marriages are still legal providing there is an option for both partners to refuse the decision.
Law enforcement agencies will be able to pursue those based in other countries where a UK national is involved. The maximum penalty for the new offence of forced marriage is seven years imprisonment.
Crime Prevention Minister Norman Baker said it is an appalling form of abuse which crosses borders and cultural boundaries.
Legislation is the next key step in solving this problem and builds on the hard work already being done by the Government and third sector organisations to tackle this practice.
The number of children who have contacted the NSPCC helpline, ChildLine, about forced marriage has risen dramatically in the last three years, from an average of 55 calls in 2011 to 141 in 2013.
Dr Ash Chand, the NSPCCs strategy head for minority ethnic children, said: The change in the law to make forced marriage a crime in England and Wales is a huge step forward which we hope will deter those plotting against their own children.
Many young people who call our ChildLine service about this issue are frightened, concerned and feel control of their lives is being wrenched from them.
Prime Minister David Cameron will host a summit on forced marriage this summer.