Home Secretary Theresa May has announced plans to make forced marriages illegal in England and Wales under new legislation due to be introduced next year.
Although it is currently possible for victims of forced marriages to seek protection by applying to a civil court for a Forced Marriage Prevention Order, compelling someone to marry without their consent will only become unlawful if accompanied by some other criminal activity such as harassment, false imprisonment or assault.
However, the proposed legislation will make “forced marriage” a criminal offence of itself, resulting in those who are convicted facing a prison sentence.
Previous plans to outlaw forced marriages were dropped by the Labour government in 2005 for fear of offending minority groups.
But Prime Minister David Cameron disagreed with the approach stating that forced marriages were “little more than slavery” and “completely wrong”.
According to experts, at least 8000 women are compelled into marrying against their will every year, with one incident involving a girl from Yorkshire who was married with the help of her parents at the age of five.
It is common for families in the UK, usually with a background from Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, to take young women abroad on what first appears as a “holiday” only to later force them into marrying a stranger without their knowledge or consent.
Comment
A Government source said: “Some of those who oppose the criminalisation of forced marriage argue that it could disempower victims, as they might want a non-criminal resolution of their case and reconciliation with their family.
“However, to avoid deterring victims from coming forward, the civil remedy will continue to exist alongside a new criminal offence. This means that a victim could choose to take the civil route, or to go to the police.
“Even when criminal proceedings are under way, the victim will have the right to stop those proceedings.
“The new law will be accompanied by a range of measures to increase protection and support for victims, as well as maintaining a focus on prevention.”
Conservative chairman Baroness Warsi, who is pushing the reforms, said: “It's now time to say no. The tragedy of these stories is long term. People are trapped in loveless marriages for a long, long, long time.
“There is often no relationship and they live as strangers in the same home. Forced marriage is akin to slavery and it is going on in Britain today. But it is time to draw a line in the sand and say enough. This is not acceptable.”
At least £5000 will be spent under a new scheme to ensure that teachers are able detect signs of a possible or existing forced marriage, and the Government is due to run a campaign in the Summer promoting the “right to choose” a life partner.
Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, welcomed the reforms stating:
“For too long the fear of intruding into the lives and choices of certain groups has prevented successive governments from taking strong action against reported incidents of forced marriages.
“This has caused immense suffering to thousands of young women who continue to live in unhappy and oppressive circumstances. There is no better time to address the issue head on and ensure that the right of women to make significant life choices such as marriage is protected in a free society.”
Sources:
Resources: