The Forced Marriage Act
A new law gives the Criminal Justice System greater powers to stop forced marriages from taking place and to protect vulnerable victims.
Under the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007, family courts can prevent forced marriages from occurring.
If such a marriage has already taken place, the court can make orders to protect the victim and help remove them from the situation.
Under the Act, the family court can make a Forced Marriage Protection Order. For example, the court can make orders to:
- prevent a forced marriage from occurring;
- ensure passports are handed over;
- stop intimidation and violence;
- reveal the whereabouts of a person;
- stop someone from being taken abroad.
Police can arrest people suspected to be breaching a Forced Marriage Protection Order. Anyone in breach or contempt of an order could face up to two years’ imprisonment.
