As forced marriages become illegal in the UK, why campaigners remain sceptical

A new law outlawing forced marriages and introduces a seven-year maximum penalty, is doubted by campaigners.

14:11 16 June 2014

Campaigners are sceptical about the effectiveness of a new law against forced marriages that introduces seven-year maximum penalty saying that victims may not come forward because they do not want to see parents and family members jailed. 

 

The Home Office's recent legislation makes compelling someone into marriage against their will a specific criminal offence for the first time.  It will also prosecute violators outside the country should a British national is forced to wed. 

 

Shereen Williams of the Henna Foundation, which has helped hundreds of victims of forced marriages, said that the law might not be effective. She explained: “David Cameron was hell bent on making this a criminal offence but we’re not sure how it will help.

 

“Victims will be very reluctant to take action that could lead to the imprisonment of their parents or other family members.

 

“We are also concerned that no guidance has been issued to police or the Crown Prosecution Service on how to implement the new law, meaning things will continue as they are.”

 

Anne-Marie Hutchinson, a solicitor who specialises in representing people facing forced marriage, said: “There is a real danger that victims of forced marriage will be deterred from coming forward to seek protection from forced marriage if they fear that members of their close family will be imprisoned.

 

“It is imperative now that forced marriage has been criminalised, that victims receive full and proper support from the authorities throughout the process.”