Forced Marriage Law Introduced In Scotland

Tue, 29 Nov 2011

New legislation protecting people from being married against their will has come into force in Scotland .

The Forced Marriage (Protection and Jurisdiction) (Scotland) Act is the first in the UK to make it a criminal offence to breach an order.

The new law gives courts the power to issue protection orders which, if breached, could carry a two-year prison sentence.

Courts will be able to tailor the terms of the order to the needs of the victim, for example, making sure someone is taken to a safe place if in danger of being sent abroad for marriage.

Greater help will also be made available for victims of forced marriages, and existing powers to annul such unions have been reformed to make the process easier.

Speaking after a visit to Amina, the Muslim Women's Resource Centre in Glasgow, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "All people in Scotland who are eligible to marry or enter into a civil partnership should have the right to do so freely without coercion."

"We know people who refuse are often subjected to threats, assault, captivity or worse at the hands of their own family.

"The introduction of this legislation will help us ensure that forced marriage has no place in 21st century Scotland, by providing flexible legal support to allow victims to get their lives back on track."

Smina Akhtar, director at the centre which helps people affected by forced marriage, said: "Forced marriage is not acceptable within any major religion. This law will mean that victims of forced marriage will no longer be alone and have to suffer in silence."

The Law Society of Scotland welcomed the legislation but said it must be accompanied by education to make sure forced marriage is reduced in the long-term.
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