The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 will enable courts to deter forced marriages. The Act will allow the courts to order individuals responsible for forcing others into marriage to either change their ways, or face a jail sentence.
Under the Forced Marriage Act, terms that are designed to protect the victim will make up a protection order. The courts will be able to impose a jail sentence if an individual does not comply with the protection order.
A protection order may demand that the potential victim’s passport be handed in, to prevent the person from being forced to travel abroad for the purpose of a forced marriage. This is one of many measures that the courts will now be able to take.
In addition to the act, the Government is also preparing statutory guidance that will clearly detail the roles & responsibilities of UK agencies that may be involved in cases of forced marriage.
As well as the preventative measures, the Forced Marriage Act also provides recourse for victims who are already in a marriage that was forced.
Efforts by the joint Forced Marriage Unit of the UK Border Agency and the Foreign Office, as well as the efforts of charitable organisations supporting victims has led to the Forced Marriage Act.
