Government to make forced marriage a criminal offence

Forcing someone to marry is to be made a specific criminal offence, Prime Minister David Cameron has announced. Breach of a Forced Marriage Protection Order will also be made a criminal offence.

A Home Office spokesman told Local Government Lawyer: "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 (as they can now). If they choose to go to the police, and the police refer the case to the CPS, it will then be for the CPS to decide whether to proceed with the prosecution."

Ministers insisted that a package of measures would mean that the issue of forced marriage would not be driven underground by criminalisation.

These include expanding the training for relevant professional agencies such as the Crown Prosecution Service, the police, judiciary, health services and social services. A single point of contact will also be identified in every local authority.

Funding worth £500,000 over the next three years will also go towards:

• helping those working in education and safeguarding know how to spot the earliest signs and what action to take;
• raising awareness of the risk of forced marriage abroad through a major summer campaign;
• rescuing those who have already become victims overseas and putting in place a support package for victims who have been repatriated; and
• engaging communities through a nation-wide programme focussed on prevention and education. This will be delivered through regional road shows and debates.

The Government also revealed that its Forced Marriage Unit had provided advice or support in nearly 600 cases since the start of the year.

The Prime Minister said: “Forced marriage is abhorrent and is little more than slavery. To force anyone into marriage against their will is simply wrong and that is why we have taken decisive action to make it illegal.

"I have listened to concerns that criminalisation could force this most distressing issue underground. That is why we have a new comprehensive package to identify possible victims, support those who have suffered first hand and, indeed, prevent criminality wherever possible.

“We have spent time with those who work tirelessly to raise and address this issue and I want to send a clear and strong message: forced marriage is wrong, is illegal and will not be tolerated.”

Home Secretary Theresa May added: “It is the right of every individual to make their own choices about their relationships and their future. Forced marriage is an appalling practice and by criminalising it we are sending a strong message that it will not be tolerated.

“But we know that legislation alone is not enough and we will continue to work across government and with frontline agencies and organisations to support and protect victims.”

The Government said it had also signed up to the Council of Europe’s convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (CAHVIO).

The announcements follow a 12-week consultation.