Forced Marriage to be a Criminal Offence

The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007, currently provides a specific civil remedy to prevent forced marriage and assist victims where a marriage has already taken place using Forced Marriage Protection Orders. Breaching an FMPO is not currently a criminal offence. However a consultation on making forced marriage a specific criminal offence ran from December 2011 to March 2012.

The Prime Minister and Home Secretary Theresa May have now announced that forcing someone to marry will become a criminal offence in England and Wales. The new law will be accompanied by funding for measures to increase awareness of forced marriage and supporting victims.

Elizabeth Bettes

Published on 14/11/2012