27 March 2008
Justice Minister Bridget Prentice has said that the government has made great strides in tackling domestic violence and must ensure that every effort is made to end the appalling practice of forced marriage.
Speaking at the 'All Woman' conference in Sheffield she will raise professionals' awareness of the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act, a new law that provides robust civil remedies to protect victims or potential victims of forced marriage, and provides protection to those already in such marriages, without criminalising members of their family.
The Forced Marriage Act, which comes into force in the autumn, enables victims or third parties to apply for a forced marriage protection order and gives the courts a wide discretion to deal flexibly and sensitively with the circumstance of each individual case. Courts will be able to stop or impose requirements on those attempting to force someone into marriage. Failure to comply with an order could lead to imprisonment.
This Act will complement and enhance a much wider government programme to tackle domestic violence.
Bridget Prentice said:
'This Act protects people's fundamental right to choose the person they want to marry.
'Victims of forced marriage are often unable to protect themselves and the Act enables others to apply to court for protection on the victim's behalf.
'Domestic violence deeply affects victims and transcends gender, race, class, age and sexuality. It accounts for 15% of all violent crime and one in three of all homicides.
'Our policy reinforces and sends a clear message to victims of domestic violence that the government is committed to providing support and will encourage victims to come forward to ask for help and warn perpetrators that we will not tolerate violence of any kind.'
Sarwar Khan, the South Yorkshire Focused Implementation Site Project Manager said:
'It is really positive that Bridget Prentice MP is coming to South Yorkshire and contributing to our holistic approach in delivering race equality in mental health and our ultimate goal of personalisation of care.
Notes to editors
1. Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007
2. Forced marriage is a marriage without the full and free consent of both parties. It is a form of domestic violence and an abuse of human rights. Forced marriages are not arranged marriages. In an arranged marriage the family will take the lead in arranging the match but the couples have a choice as to whether to proceed. In a forced marriage there is no choice.
3. The Act enables a victim or a relevant third party to make an application for a forced marriage protection order. A public consultation on this has just been concluded.
4. The joint Foreign and Commonwealth Office/Home Office Forced Marriage Unit is the UK's 'one-stop shop' for developing government policy on forced marriage, co-ordinating outreach projects and providing support and information to those at risk. In the past two years, the Forced Marriage Unit has produced guidelines on tackling forced marriage for police, social services, health and education professionals, and is producing similar guidelines for registrars and legal professionals.
5. For further information contact Alia Syed at the Ministry of Justice Press Office on 020 8210 8695.