Forcing someone to marry will become a criminal offence in England and Wales, Prime Minister David Cameron has announced. The announcement was made on 8 June at a meeting of stakeholders, experts and campaigners at the Foreign Office.
The decision to create a specific offence of forced marriage follows a 12-week consultation which took views from the public, victims, charities and frontline agencies. The Prime Minister said: "Forced marriage is abhorrent and is little more than slavery. To force anyone into marriage against their will is simply wrong and that is why we have taken decisive action to make it illegal.
"I have listened to concerns that criminalisation could force this most distressing issue underground. That is why we have a new comprehensive package to identify possible victims, support those who have suffered first hand and, indeed, prevent criminality wherever possible.
"We have spent time with those who work tirelessly to raise and address this issue and I want to send a clear and strong message: forced marriage is wrong, is illegal and will not be tolerated."
Home Secretary Theresa May added: "It is the right of every individual to make their own choices about their relationships and their future. Forced marriage is an appalling practice and by criminalising it we are sending a strong message that it will not be tolerated. But we know that legislation alone is not enough and we will continue to work across government and with frontline agencies and organisations to support and protect victims."
In the five months to May this year alone the Forced Marriage Unit has provided advice or support to nearly 600 cases. Meanwhile the UK's embassies and high commissions work to rescue British victims facing forced marriage overseas, and help them return to the UK.
Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt said: "Today's announcement sends a strong signal of our determination to stop this practice, and to continue to support British victims who may be taken abroad to marry against their wishes."
The government also announced funding of more than £1/2m over the next three years to raise awareness of the issue and provide support for victims. It will also be a criminal offence to carry out a breach of a Forced Marriage Protection Order.
The Law Society backed the move, saying that criminalisation would ensure victims have a means of legal redress and deter potential offenders.
It said: "Some communities do not recognise or accept that a forced marriage is not legitimised by either culture or tradition: it is another form of bullying, violence and abuse.
"It is unlike an arranged marriage which is traditional, cultural and, crucially, consensual for both parties who are introduced to one another and who then have the choice of whether to marry or not. Criminalisation of forced marriages would make this distinction clearer."