Forced marriage is a crime

Parents who are planning to force their children into marriage will soon face jail if they do not stop the practice.

Prime Minister David Cameron said that forcing anyone into marriage against their will is little more than slavery and will not be tolerated in UK.

This is why the Government has taken decisive action to make it illegal.

According to statistics, the Forced Marriage Unit had been involved in more than 1,400 cases last year. Half of the victims were of Pakistani origin, while 9 per cent were from Bangladesh, 9 per cent from Britain and just 3 per cent from Afghanistan. They include dozens of girls under 15 and a consistent number of older teenagers.

Children charity NSPCC has arousen concern about the fact that a specific criminal law may deter victims from coming forward as they could be afraid of criminalising their family.

However, Home Secretary Theresa May has announced yesterday that victims of forced marriage will be able to decide if their parents are prosecutes and jailed. Moreover, an extra £500,000 of funding will be pumped into a special unit to identify and support victims, especially those who have already been sent abroad.

The Government is also planning to work closely with social workers, teachers and police to make sure any law works in the best interest of those who are affected by forced marriage.

Under the new plan this ‘form of abuse’ will become a criminal offence in England, Wales, and North Ireland.